Corn snakes are a common pet snake, and they can live up to 30 years. Many people choose to keep corn snakes because they’re beautiful and easy to take care of. The first thing you’ll want to know is what you should feed your new friend!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Corn snakes eat a diet primarily consisting of small rodents, such as mice and rats. |
| It is recommended to feed corn snakes appropriately sized prey to ensure they can swallow it comfortably. |
| Frozen-thawed prey is a safe and commonly used feeding option for corn snakes. |
| Feeding schedules for corn snakes vary based on age and size, with young snakes typically fed more frequently than adults. |
| Wild-caught prey should be avoided as it may carry parasites or diseases that can harm the snake. |
| Providing a varied diet, including different prey types, is beneficial for the nutritional needs of corn snakes. |
Pinky Mice (Thawed, Of Course)
Pinky mice are the best food for your corn snake. They are small, easy to digest, and contain all of the nutrients that your snake needs in order to grow into a happy, healthy adult. When it comes to feeding pinkies to a baby corn snake, size does matter.
You want to make sure that you are feeding them a pinky mouse that is no larger than 1/8th of an inch in diameter at its widest point (from tail tip to snout).
If you have an adult corn snake or one that has reached its full size then it might be time for them start eating slightly larger prey items like fuzzy rats or even frozen rats or chicks if you wish to offer those options as well.
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Fuzzy Mice
- Fuzzy mice are baby mice that are 5-6 weeks old. They are the most common type of mouse used as snake food, and they have a soft, fluffy coat that is easy to digest.
- The size of the fuzzy depends on how old it is when it was caught: 1 month old fuzzies are about 2 inches long, while 6 month olds can be up to 4 inches long.
| Prey Size | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Fuzzy Mice | Yes |
| Pinky Mice | Yes |
| Hopper Mice | Yes |
| Adult Mice | Yes |
| Rat Pups | No |
| Adult Rats | No |
Hopper Mice
When hopper mice are available, you’re in luck. They are the best option for feeding pet corn snakes, and they’re usually available at pet stores.
A hopper mouse is a baby mouse that has been weaned but is still too small to be fed to a snake (also known as pinkies). The smaller size of these mice makes them easier for your snake to swallow and digest than larger prey items like rats.
Your local pet store should have a shelf with different sizes of hoppers in stock—you can tell what size they are by looking at their tails: if they have long tails and big ears, they’re adults; if their tails are short and their ears aren’t so big yet, then they’re babies! Most shops will have both options available so that you can pick whichever one works best for your needs.
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Adult Mice
Adult mice are not recommended as a food source for corn snakes. While adult mice may be too large for your snake to swallow, it’s important to keep in mind that these rodents can carry dangerous diseases such as salmonella and listeria.
Because of this, many owners choose not to feed adult mice at all—in fact, many pet stores don’t even sell them! If you want your corn snake to have a varied diet and enjoy hunting prey, try feeding him small rats instead of an adult mouse at first.
| Prey Size | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Fuzzy Mice | Yes |
| Pinky Mice | Yes |
| Hopper Mice | Yes |
| Adult Mice | Yes |
| Rat Pups | No |
| Adult Rats | No |
Smelt Fish
Smelt fish are a common feeder fish that are typically available at most pet stores. They’re also occasionally sold by fishermen who catch them out of rivers or lakes, but be sure that you know where the smelt came from and whether it’s safe to eat.
If you’re lucky enough to find live smelt for sale at a local business, they’ll often be frozen in order to preserve their freshness until they can be purchased by customers. If this is the case, simply thaw them out before feeding them to your corn snake.
Smelt should be gutted and cleaned out with water before being fed to your snake; this will ensure that there aren’t any toxins or bacteria lurking inside its digestive tract!
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Pinky Rats (Thawed, Of Course)
Pinky rats are the best option to feed your corn snake if you don’t want to feed live animals. They are small, easy to digest and are a good size for cornsnakes.
If you do decide to go with pinkies, make sure they’re thawed before feeding them.
Pinkys can be fed as much as once a week or even more frequently in smaller snakes (under 4 feet).
Fuzzy Rats
The best food for your corn snake is a fuzzy rat. Fuzzy rats are very easy to find and they’re relatively cheap.
They are also small enough that you don’t have to worry about them being too big for your snake, but not so small that they won’t have enough meat on them when you feed your corn snake.
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Small Rats
Small rats can be fed to your corn snake once a week. Rats have a high fat content, which is good for the snake’s health, but it’s important to make sure that the rat is fully grown before feeding it to your corn snake.
The larger the rodent, the longer it takes for them to reach maturity. You’ll probably want to wait until you’ve got an adult rat before feeding it to your pet
Corn snakes are constrictors and prey on small rodents like rabbits and mice; however, they will also eat birds and other reptiles in captivity. It’s important that you feed your Corn Snake regularly so that they don’t get hungry while waiting for their next meal!
| Prey Size | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Fuzzy Mice | Yes |
| Pinky Mice | Yes |
| Hopper Mice | Yes |
| Adult Mice | Yes |
| Small Rats | Yes |
| Medium Rats | No |
| Large Rats | No |
Medium Rats
A medium rat is a good size for corn snakes. A medium rat is slightly larger than a pinky and should be about 6-10 inches long. You can purchase them at local pet stores or online.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 Celsius).
- Place the live rats on a baking sheet and bake them until they are dead, approximately 30 minutes.
- Cut off all four feet, cut off their heads and tails (this will make it easier to avoid sharp teeth when feeding your snake).
- Throw away anything that you don’t feed to your snake (i.e., organs).
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Rabbits And Guinea Pigs
Rabbits and guinea pigs are not recommended as food sources for your pet corn snake. They are too large, which can cause blockages in the stomach, and they also do not provide enough nutrition for your pet corn snake.
If you choose to feed your pet corn snake a rabbit or guinea pig anyway, be sure to monitor its weight regularly to ensure that it is getting proper nutrition from such a large meal. If it becomes overweight or underweight after eating one of these animals then stop feeding them until their weight is back on track!
It is also important to note that rabbits and guinea pigs have hair that easily gets stuck in the digestive tract of your snake if it eats them whole (which I don’t recommend) so make sure you check for any uneaten pieces before feeding again!
Conclusion
Corn snakes are a great pet to have around the house. They’re not too big, they don’t require much upkeep, and they are very easy to take care of. All you need is a few mice or rats every week and your snake will be fine!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can explore for further information on the diet and feeding of pet corn snakes:
Corn Snake Diet: What Do Corn Snakes Eat?: This comprehensive guide provides insights into the dietary requirements of corn snakes, including the types of food they consume in captivity.
Corn Snake Diet Guide: Learn about the appropriate diet for corn snakes, including the nutritional needs and feeding frequency of these popular pet reptiles.
Feeding Corn Snakes: Discover important considerations and tips for feeding corn snakes in this informative article, covering aspects such as prey size, feeding methods, and common feeding issues.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about corn snake diets:
1. What do corn snakes eat in the wild?
Corn snakes are natural predators and primarily feed on small rodents, such as mice and rats, in their natural habitat.
2. Can corn snakes eat frozen-thawed prey?
Yes, feeding corn snakes frozen-thawed prey is a commonly recommended and safe practice. It eliminates the risk of live prey causing harm to the snake during feeding.
3. How often should I feed my corn snake?
Young corn snakes typically require feeding once every 5 to 7 days, while adult corn snakes can be fed every 7 to 10 days. Adjusting the feeding schedule based on your snake’s age and size is important to ensure proper nutrition.
4. Are there any food items I should avoid feeding my corn snake?
Yes, it is important to avoid feeding corn snakes wild-caught prey, as they can carry parasites or diseases that may harm the snake. Additionally, feeding large prey items that are too big for the snake to swallow comfortably should be avoided.
5. Can corn snakes be fed a solely live or frozen diet?
Corn snakes can be fed either live or frozen-thawed prey, depending on their preference and your personal choice. However, feeding a variety of prey types, including frozen-thawed, is recommended to ensure a balanced diet and reduce the risk of injury from live prey.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.