How to Encourage a Corn Snake to Feed

Although corn snakes can go for long periods without eating, some snakes develop finicky eating habits that require owner intervention to encourage feeding. Healthy corn snakes typically eat once or twice a week, so if your encouragement doesn't result in a successful snake feed, consult a veterinarian.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Box or sack

1. Handle the snake less frequently if it's been feeding poorly. Some snakes are hypersensitive to handling and respond to the stress by fasting.

2. Maintain a calm and quiet environment during the feeding. If you disturb the corn snake while it's attempting to constrict or consume its prey, it may abandon the meal completely.

3. Keep your hands off the snake and out of the snake's habitat during feeding time. The snake may strike at you or may retreat from its prey if you attempt to touch it.

4. Provide the snake with an optimum temperature in its habitat from 75 to 85 degrees F. Snakes are cold-blooded animals and heat helps them to consume and digest their food.

5. Give the corn snake a shelter for privacy. Some snakes don't feel secure unless they can feed in complete isolation. If you don't have a large enough box, use a pillowcase or burlap sack.

6. Simulate animation if you offer prekilled prey to your snake. Lifeless prey is unappealing to many snakes.

7. Offer a smaller prey item to your corn snake. Even if the snake is large enough to handle the mouse you're offering, the snake may be intimidated if it had a rough encounter with a large rodent in the past.