How to Feed Young Corn Snakes

Corn snakes offer a great alternative to the larger boa and pythons while still allowing the owner to observe the carnivorous animals in their natural predatory habits. The feeding of a young corn snake is particularly important because it will set the pattern for the corn snake's eating habits as the snake grows into adulthood.

Things You'll Need

  • pinky mouse
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Baby corn snakes eat baby "pinky" mice, that is newborn mice that haven't yet developed any fur. A general rule of thumb for picking the size of the mice is that the pinkie you feed your snake should be no larger than your snake is round at its fattest width.

    • 2

      You may feed your young corn snake either pre-killed frozen or live bait. As a young corn snake, whether you chose a live or frozen corn snake will not matter. However, as snakes age, they will require larger mice and those mice will fight back as the snake attempts to eat it if it is given as live bait. Corn snakes are perfectly capable of fighting back and are adept predators, but if this worries you, then you should feed them frozen bait from the beginning, as most snakes will not enjoy going to frozen bait once they are used to live bait.You can buy the pinkies live from the pet store and simply place them in your freezer to kill them. It's recommended you do not leave them in your freezer longer than 24 hours.

    • 3

      Simply place the frozen or live bait in the tank with the snake and allow the snake to eat it. Do not handle or otherwise bother the snake for 24 hours after the snake has been fed.

    • 4

      If you are feeding your young corn snake frozen bait, it may help to warm the bait up before feeding the snake. Simply place the pinky in a small bowl of hot water for 3 to 4 minutes.

    • 5

      If using frozen bait and having difficulty getting the snake to eat, you may also puncture the head of the pinky mouse with a knife in order to spread the smell over the cage.

Tips & Warnings

  • If you are having trouble getting your young corn snake to eat frozen bait, try placing the corn snake and the frozen bait in a small Styrofoam cup together. Sometimes when they young corn snake is closer to the bait, the snake will be more willing to eat the pinky.

  • Do not feed crickets to your young corn snake. They are mice eaters, not insect eaters.

Related Searches:

Comments

You May Also Like

  • How to Feed a Corn Snake

    Caring for a corn snake can be relatively easy since they will only eat every 10 days or so depending on the...

  • Feeding Young Corn Snakes

    Young corn snakes will usually feed on small mice and lizards. Feed a young corn snake with tips from a certified animal...

  • How to Feed a Mouse to a Corn Snake

    A corn snake typically makes a good pet snake because they rarely bite and are generally passive. It is a constrictor snake,...

  • Feeding Corn Snakes Mice

    Hear a professional snake handler explain how to feed a mouse to your pet corn snake in this free online video.

  • How to Feed Corn Snakes

    Feeding pinkie mice to corn snakes is fairly easy but does require some instructions. Learn how to feed corn snakes in this...

  • How to Care for Baby Corn Snakes

    Corn snakes are popular with pet owners because of their bright colors and manageable size. Like any pet, if you're lucky enough...

  • How to Feed Pet Snakes

    Keeping a pet snake requires special care. If you are a new snake owner, feeding a snake will take some research to...

  • How to Feed Your Tennessee Baby Grey Snake

    Tennessee grey snakes are a type of rat snake, and are not typically sold in pet stores. They are nonvenomous, but tend...

  • How to Feed a Snake Chicken

    Feed your pet snake a baby chick as a treat. While chicken makes for a great snack for snakes, it should not...

  • What Do Corn Snakes Eat?

    Corn snakes will usually feed on small lizards and small mice, and they are constrictors, meaning that they will suffocate their prey...

  • What Do Baby Milk Snakes Eat?

    Baby milk snakes are usually fairly small, so they prefer to feed on small lizards and small mice that have a lizard...

  • What Do Young Snakes Eat?

    Different species of snakes have different diets, but young snakes will usually eat small fish, frogs, lizards, insects or earthworms. Discover why...

  • Corn Snake Habitat Heating

    Corn snakes need some heat to help them digest food. Learn how to properly heat a corn snake habitat in this free...

  • Corn Snake Safety

    Corn snakes are not generally dangerous, but safety is important. Learn how to be safe around corn snakes in this free pet...

  • What Do You Feed Wild Mice?

    Wild mice often live in dark, hidden places. From farm fields to the interior walls of your home, mice like to stay...

  • Corn Snake Prey Size

    Not sure how big of prey to feed your corn snake? Get tips on prey size for corn snakes in this free...

  • Snakes That Eat Baby Birds

    Snakes enjoy a varied diet and most snakes include fish, frogs, lizards and rats in their diet. This means that baby birds...

  • How to Buy a Pet Corn Snake

    Pet corn snakes make excellent pets for any snake lover. Even someone new to the care and keeping of snakes would do...

  • How to Feed a Pet Snake

    If you're a new pet snake owner, you may have been attracted to owning a snake because of its minimal feeding requirements....

Related Ads

Featured