About Snakes
SPIDERS
FAQ
GLIDERS
People tend to overfeed their captive snakes. Still on occasion a problem feeder will come up. There are several ways around this. The first and easiest step is to place the mouse in a deli cup or similar container with the snake and leave it in overnight. More ofen than not this close constant exposure will trigger a feeding response. If this the first method doesn't work the next step would be scenting the mice with a lizard. Still sometimes even this doesn't work and you are forced to get more drastic. One of the most gruesome but effective ways to get a problem feeder to eat is to use the deli cup method with a pinky that you have split the skull on. This last step is truly disgusting and in order for it to work you must truly split the head of the pinky, this does not mean halfway cutting the skin and wimping out. There must be brain matter oozing out of the cut in order for this to work. Fortunately you should not have to resort to this method often as the first method usually works.
There is without any doubt no better beginner snake than a Corn Snake. They feed well, their ease of keeping is unmatched and it is hard to provoke even a wild Corn to bite. They remain a managable size at around 3 feet. The variety of available of colors and patterns is overwhelming and they are with good reason the number one snake in captivity.
Among the same lines there are several Milk and King Snakes that do quite well in captivity as well. The Kings and Milks tend to be more squirmy than the Corns. Another good beginner group to look at are the Gophers, Bulls and Pine Snakes. Some of these reach a truly impressive size and although not
Several factors can effect snake behavior. Is it colder/warmer than the snake was? More/less humid? It could even be as simple as the snake being ready to eat.
Can they...yes, should they...no. Why? Because snakes can transmit disease to one another, not to mention snakes are solitary animals and the stress of another speices that close cannot be good for the snake. Mites are also a big concern and new snakes should be quarantined also keeping your snakes in seperate tanks can lessen the damage if mites do get in.
Frozen is a far better choice for feeding your captive snakes than live. A live mouse left in with a snake can do a surprising amount of damage to your pet. It is not worth the thrill of watching a live mouse get killed and run the risk of coming in the next day only to find your prized herp missing an eye or worse. It is far safer for the snake not to mention far more econmical. Most snakes will readily frozen thawed as a food source and there is no advantage to feeding live except for the thrill of the kill which I assure you fades when you have seen it as many times as myself. Feed frozen, your snake will better off for it.
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