How to Feed a Snake Rats

Before deciding to get a pet snake, realize that snakes are carnivores and you will have to feed them rodents such as rats and mice. Knowing how often to feed your snake is essential to avoid obesity. If feeding is done incorrectly, you or your snake can get wounded or even killed in the process. You have to protect yourself from getting hurt and you have to protect your snake from being attached by his prey.

Things You'll Need

  • Bowl
  • Gloves
  • Feeding tongs
  • Soap
  • Bag
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Instructions

  1. Frozen Rats

    • 1

      Purchase rats from your local pet store or from online exotic pet-food distributors. Look for reliable sources because you want rats that are free of diseases. Check if the rats are raised in sanitary conditions and whether they are fed a special formula to guarantee good nutrition to the animal to which they fall prey. Rats are sold in frozen form and are individually wrapped in resealable bags.

    • 2

      Monitor your snake for signs of hunger. It is hungry if it moves around more than usual in its enclosure and its tongue moves more than normal.

    • 3

      Fill a bowl with warm water and place a resealable bag containing a frozen rat into the water. Wait about 30 minutes for the rat to thaw.

    • 4

      Put on a pair of snake-handling gloves. Pick the rat up by its tail with feeding tongs.

    • 5

      Open the enclosure and drop the rat into it. Dangle the rat back and forth if your snake doesn't show interest. Your snake will attack the rat as if it is still alive and go through the entire killing process before eating the rat.

    • 6

      Wash your hands with water and mild soap. Wait 24 hours after feeding your snake before interacting with it because snakes are more aggressive after they've eaten.

    Life Rat or Incapacitated Rat

    • 7

      Feed your snake a live rat or incapacitated rat only if it refuses to eat the thawed rat.

    • 8

      Drop a live rat into the snake's enclosure after detecting the snake's hunger signs. Wear your gloves and hold the rat by its tail with tongs as you drop it into the enclosure.

    • 9

      Monitor your snake for the next half hour to make sure it eats the rat. If not, the rat may attack the snake and bite or kill it. Remove the rat from the enclosure if your snake doesn't eat it.

    • 10

      Incapacitate the rat beforehand if you want to keep the rat from hurting your snake. Place the rat in a paper bag and quickly slam the bag against a counter. The impact will stun the rat and incapacitate it, making it easy prey for your snake.

    • 11

      Wash your hands with mild soap and water after feeding your snake. Avoid contact with your snake for 24 hours after feeding it to avoid aggressive snake behavior.