How to Feed a Green Snake

Crickets may be offered to green snakes as part of a balanced, varied diet.

The snake commonly known as a green snake in the pet trade is Opheodrys aestivus, the rough green snake. This is an insectivorous snake native to the southeastern United States. To feed a green snake, offer it a variety of insects, such as waxworms, moths, silkmoth larvae, crickets and locusts. Green snakes are attracted to movement and feed readily when presented with the correct food items. However, these snakes are shy and easily stressed. Feed them in a quiet, dark area to ensure that they don't refuse food due to fear.

Things You'll Need

• Live prey items
• Vitamin/calcium dust

Instructions

1. Dust prey items with a vitamin/calcium dust designed for the feeding of reptiles. If you have gut-loaded your insects, this step is unnecessary.

2. Offer prey items to your snake in a quiet, dark room. If your green snake is a reluctant eater, try feeding it at night. Give your green snake only as many insects as it will readily eat within 30 minutes.

3. Remove uneaten prey items after half an hour. If live insects are left with a green snake that isn't hungry, they will annoy it or even injure it. Uneaten insects can be saved for the next feeding.

4. Allow your green snake to rest undisturbed after feeding. A snake that has just eaten a meal should not be handled.

5. Repeat this process every other day to every three days, depending upon your snake's appetite. Green snakes do not need to eat daily.

Tips & Warnings

• If you notice any signs of illness or injury, take your green snake to a qualified reptile vet as soon as possible. Wild-caught snakes in particular may come with a heavy parasite load and other health problems.

• Offer a variety of prey items. A balanced diet is important to keeping your green snake healthy.

• Consider breeding insects for your green snake. This is easy, especially in the case of mealworms, and can cut down on feeding costs significantly.

• The green snake is a delicate, shy species that's ideal for hobbyists who have experience with keeping snakes. If you're considering buying your first snake, another species may be a better option.

• Don't attempt to give a green snake a diet consisting only of crickets and other hard-bodied insects. This can cause regurgitation of exoskeletons, which green snakes cannot easily digest. Instead, use primarily soft-bodied insects. Offer crickets as an occasional snack.

References

• Reptile Channel: Rough Green Snake Diet
• Pet Snake Care: Rough Green Snake
• Reptile House: Rough Green Snake Care Sheet