Question

[Luthien]

Hey, so I'm familiar with the whole feed to the size of the snake but...

How do you know when to cut back the time? For example I know an adult corn will get fed every 7-10 days but right now my 7 month old is being fed every 5 days. How do I know when I can feed her every 7 days then 8 then 9 ect ect till I get to every 10 days?

Do you go by age or how does that work?

[millertime89]

There's no hard and fast rule for it. I generally jump from weekly (first two years) straight to bi-weekly (after two years) without a "ramp up". It also depends on the size of the prey offered. If you feed a really large meal one week, you'll be safe to skip an extra week or two before feeding again.

[Luthien]

I always feed no bigger then her body. She's on fuzzy mice right now, does that mean I can feed every 7 days?

[NewHerp293]

Remember snakes are opportunistic feeders and in the wild they dont get fed the same size food at the same time every week, theres hunting or waiting and starving or feasting depending on whats available. Consistency is good but I always think that a little bit of variation can keep everything more natural :) just my two cents

[millertime89]

I would feed slightly bigger than her body. You want it to leave decent lump.

[SSSSnakes]

I agree with everything that has been said. Snakes do not need to be fed on a strict schedule and I feel they should be fed different size prey all the time.

[Luthien]

Well the fuzzy mice I get aren't identical in size so she does vary in that but it is never to big for her.

I just fear not giving her enough food for her age/size that's why I'm asking at 7 months roughly how often should they be fed. Last month at the pet store they were feeding twice a week, she's had 1 shed since then

[millertime89]

Sorry, there have been a lot of questions on feeding lately so I don't remember what I say where. Get a digital scale from Walmart or Target or whichever big box store is near you (grocery stores sometimes carry them, I'm not sure what you've got in your area) and feed 10-15% of her body weight weekly for the first two years. You can feed larger safely, but I wouldn't go over 30% and if you go over 20% give her a week off.

[Luthien]

Sounds good! Thank you

[millertime89]

You bet! :)

[Luthien]

Just finished feeding her and we did our first strike! Before it was timid and took her a few minutes to latch on but this time it was a quick clean strike and swallow.

She didn't even mind my brace tonight! So proud of my girl

[Derek1]

Great looking Corn! And great questions. Good thread.

Now that my Cal King has grown up a bit she is a great striker and wrapper. Used to be what I call milk teat eater. Just ease up and get some.

I feed every 5-10ish. My Garter would eat every night if given the chance. My Cal I know when she's hungry, by the way she explores the enclosure and or comes out of her hides, as she's albino and a bit shy. But a great snake.

You'll get to know your snakes and their habits and wants and needs and don'ts and dos.

But for a Corn, I would bank on a 7ish to 10ish at his size and follow the lump and feeder size recommendations posted.

[Luthien]

Thanks! I'm very happy with my first corn!

She's starting to get braver now and explore by herself and eat better. She was very much like your Cal King, Derek1. She would come up, sniff/knudge/wrap before taking the mouse. Tonight was just see it/strike/eat.