How to Get a Sunbeam Snake to Eat

The sunbeam snake is a small species of snake that is native to Indonesia. The sunbeam snake is black in color but gets its name from the rainbow-like iridescent sheen of its scales. The sunbeam snake eats a wide variety of prey, like lizards, frogs, other snakes and rodents. A few tips can help you get your sunbeam snake to eat.

Things You'll Need

  • Frozen mice or rats
  • Tongs
  • Alternative prey items
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that the snake has enough substrate in the bottom of the cage to burrow in. In the wild, the sunbeam snake spends much of its time burrowing and it will feel stressed if it is constantly exposed. If it is stressed, it may not eat.

    • 2

      Thaw out a frozen mouse or rat that is no larger than the widest part of the snake's midsection and dunk it in hot water using tongs. Offer the thawed mouse or rat to the snake. This can also be tried with live mice or rats if the snake will not accept frozen ones, but live rodents can seriously injure your snake, and you should never leave a live rat or mouse unattended with any snake.

    • 3

      Obtain other prey items for the sunbeam snake if it will not eat rodents of any kind. Other prey items can include anole lizards, small frogs or chicks. When obtaining any prey item for your snake, ensure it is from a supplier, breeder or pet store. Wild-caught lizards and frogs can harbor parasites. Insects, such as crickets, are another prey option.

    • 4

      Leave the snake alone for a few days and try again if it refuses to eat. Sunbeam snakes are easily stressed from too much interaction with humans and will not eat if they are stressed.