Corn Snake Advice?

titans · 04-18-20, 03:01 PM

Hi all,

I have a 16 month old Corn Snake and have receiving a variety of advice regarding his feeding.

He's now 44" (3ft 6) and it's been mentioned he's grown quickly?

He's currently eating mouse fluffs and eating 4 per week. Given the current situation I had to buy rat pups which yesterday he ate 3.

Regardless of how much you feed him he still is on the lookout for more food.

I don't think he'd get a regular mouse down as I *think* it would be too wide for his mouth.

Am I overfeeding him? My vet has little snake knowledge and the pet store I buy the food from say based on size that's OK but wanting to ask a few experts hence me joining here!

Veronica · 04-19-20, 07:51 AM

You should only be giving him one feeder ever two weeks at this point. You are feeding him way too often. Find a feeder that is about 1-1.5 times the thickness of his widest part and just feed that. You should never need to feed multiple feeders.

dangernoodles · 04-19-20, 08:48 AM

4 per week is ridiculous. I agree with Veronica.

titans · 04-19-20, 09:08 AM

I did think so hence my joining here. The mice are 3g each so 12g of mice a week.

If he couldn't eat a regular mouse would he try or refuse it or could it harm him?

How much should he be eating in grams a week/fortnight? I think he's around 1" thick (not sure on diameter)

Veronica · 04-19-20, 09:56 AM

I do want to add though, I do understand that it's not entirely your fault since you've been given terrible advice by the petstore.

titans · 04-19-20, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veronica

I do want to add though, I do understand that it's not entirely your fault since you've been given terrible advice by the petstore.

Yeah it didn't strike me as solid advice, but really appreciate your help

titans · 04-19-20, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veronica

You should only be giving him one feeder ever two weeks at this point. You are feeding him way too often. Find a feeder that is about 1-1.5 times the thickness of his widest part and just feed that. You should never need to feed multiple feeders.

He's been having 4 x 3g mice so 12g a week.

He's roughly 1" thick (not sure on diameter but will measure tomorrow)

So you think a weekly 15g-20g mouse? Or fortnightly?

titans · 04-19-20, 03:00 PM

Update: he's 3" in diameter and weighs 204g

chairman · 04-19-20, 07:40 PM

Generally, snakes should eat meals that are about 10% of their body weight. An adult mouse weighs about 20g or so, so one adult mouse would be a good size meal. The generally recommended interval for feeding is every 10-14 days.

I use a slightly different feeding routine, but that should work for you for a while.

titans · 04-20-20, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairman

Generally, snakes should eat meals that are about 10% of their body weight. An adult mouse weighs about 20g or so, so one adult mouse would be a good size meal. The generally recommended interval for feeding is every 10-14 days.

I use a slightly different feeding routine, but that should work for you for a while.

Perfect! I will switch it out to that. Thank you