How to Feed Quail to Snakes

In the wild, snakes do not always eat live prey. Despite this, some snake owners prefer to feed their pets with live animals, such as mice, rats and, more rarely, quail. According to Rodent Pro, quail are a good source of vitamin A and E as well as calcium, iron and zinc. Each bird provides 6.79 Kcal of energy per gram. They should be fed to snakes as part of a balanced diet.

Instructions

    • 1

      Buy quail from a local breeder or pet store. Buy one or two at first to see if the snake will take them. Quail will be a relatively expensive source of nutrition.

    • 2

      Keep the quail in a rabbit hutch or similar enclosure. Line the floor with wood shavings and feed the quail on millet. The birds are susceptible to pneumonia, so may need to be brought indoors in colder climates. Buy female quail if possible as the cocks' call is a loud trill that may cause noise issues with neighbors.

    • 3

      Ensure the snake is hungry before introducing the quail into its cage. If the snake fails to quickly and fatally attack the quail, the bird may have a chance to injure the snake as it fights to survive. Watch how the snake responds to the quail. Use tongs to remove the bird if the snake seems uninterested or is injured by it.

    • 4

      Limit the amount of quail given to the snake. Some snakes, such as the corn snake, may refuse all other food once they have a taste for quail. This can extend to the point where the snake starves itself. For this reason, it's best to only feed quail to snakes as a treat.