Snake first feed

[bracey91]

Hey all.. So I got my first snake the other day and just fed him for the first time (for me).. hes a spotted python.. 2 months old (I have another thread with photos if you'd like to see him).

It was a great experience he struck at it beautifully and guzzled it down within about 10 minutes I think it was

Quick quesiton.. how do you know when its time to upgrade the food size?

 

[Jewly]

It's always fun watching your snake eat for the first time.

You want the prey to be the same size or a little bigger than the thickest part of the snake.

 

[Blondie84]

Also need to make sure they have to really expand their jaw to get their mouth around the prey as this ensures their head continues to grow and you dont end up with a snake with a huge body and a teeny tiny head! LOL!

You should be able to see that there is something in it at the thickest part but without it being sooo stretched that the scales are popping open!

 

[schizmz]

As a rule of thumb i use..if i cant see a lump once theyve pushed it down,ill try next size up

 

[dtulip10]

Also need to make sure they have to really expand their jaw to get their mouth around the prey as this ensures their head continues to grow and you dont end up with a snake with a huge body and a teeny tiny head! LOL!!

????

 

[Blondie84]

I have decided it is time for my baby girl to try pinkie rats.... cant wait til feeding day (Tuesday)!! Just want the rat transition over and done with! And also I'm sure the last feed of a pinkie mouse didnt even hit the sides Little guts I have here LOL!!

 

[Blondie84]

????

I read in a couple of places and have been told by a friend that they can outgrow their heads if they dont have to stretch them to get their food down...... correct me if I am wrong....:?

 

[dtulip10]

you are wrong. a snakes head will grow with its body no matter what size food it eats

 

[Blondie84]

well there you go then. you could have just said that

 

[Blondie84]

Im sure i read somewhere that the whole stretching of their jaw thing was important for something....... *confused now*

 

[Jarden]

I wouldnt got pinkie rats yet. Move up to fuzzy mice, Pinkie rats will still be abit big for a 2 month old spotted

 

[JAS101]

I wouldnt got pinkie rats yet. Move up to fuzzy mice, Pinkie rats will still be abit big for a 2 month old spotted

yup beside the fuzzie mice have that fur goodness that a hatchling could do with .

 

[bracey91]

ok, thanks for all the help guys! I think pinky mice are enough for him at the moment anyway!