How to Feed a Pine Snake

Pine snakes are vibrant-colored snakes with backgrounds ranging from orange-reddish to tan and yellow. Quite similar to the bull snake and gopher snake, the pine snake vibrates its tail, flattens its head and hisses loudly when threatened by predators. This breed of snake inhabits the southeastern areas of the United States, and can grow up to 7 feet in length. It is relatively easy to feed a pet pine snake, as it subsists on a diet of pre-killed feeder mice.

Things You'll Need

  • Feeding box such as a rubber container or aquarium tank
  • Pre-killed feeder pinkie mice and adult mice
  • Tongs or long-handled forceps
  • Spill-resistant glass bowl
  • Unflavored bottled drinking water, bottled natural spring water or treated tap water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a feeding box to feed your pine snake. The feeding box will reduce the risk of the snake snapping at you when it senses its meal. You can use a rubber container or an aquarium tank as a feeding box. Fit a smooth substrate such as paper, cardboard or carpet in the feeding box. Ensure that the feeding area is free of particles such as wood shavings that the snake can mistakenly ingest while feeding.

    • 2

      Feed hatchling pine snakes pre-killed, frozen and thawed feeder pinkie mice. Feed adult mice to adult pine snakes. Use a feeding ratio based on the size of your pine snake to ensure that it gets the appropriate nutrition. Feed mice that are around 1.5 times the size of the largest portion of your pine snake's body.

    • 3

      Use tongs or long-handled forceps to deposit the feeder mice in your snake's feeding box. Do not offer the feeder mice with your bare hands, because the snake can inadvertently attack your hand.

    • 4

      Feed your pine snake once every seven to 10 days. The snake's appetite may decrease during winter months. Observe its muscle tone to ascertain whether it needs increased feed. If its muscle tone is healthy and normal, your snake is doing fine.

    • 5

      Provide your pine snake with a fresh supply of water in a spill-resistant glass bowl. Ensure that the water is free of chlorine and heavy metals. Use unflavored bottled drinking water, bottled natural spring water or treated tap water.