Switching to fuzzies? Maybe?

Cricket1234 · 02-02-17, 05:49 PM

As many of you know, I have a young Pueblan Milk Snake. I have been feeding him on one pinkie per feeding, but many members of the forum said I should switch him to fuzzies. I then read he should have two or three pinkies at his size on a website, but that is overall more mass than a fuzzy. Here is more information on the snake so you guys are better informed, because I was a bit vague. My snake is around 3 centimeters in diameter. It is 37 centimeters in length, and about 1.5 centimeters wide. But, on occasion, I will show videos of adult mice, (on the screen they are about 5 to 6 times the safe amount for him to eat) and he will try to strike at them. So he is willing to take larger prey, I was just double checking if it will be safe for him to eat a fuzzy. I am not doubting anyone, I just felt I was not specific enough and may have given somebody a false idea of his size. Thank you guys!

TRD · 02-02-17, 07:02 PM

I would say yes, my nelsoni milk was easily taking them at that size. You should change to a bigger size when you can, it's better for the snake growth to get them off pinkies as they are mainly water.

I generally go by weight of the snake and mouse... f.e. if the snake would weight 40 grams, I would select a prey item which would be around 4 - 6 gram (10-15% weight of snake). You can weigh the mouse when it's still frozen, assuming they are packed properly when frozen and not wet in any way. They should weigh the same frozen as when they were alive.

This worked great so far for the Lampropeltis sp. I keep. Feeding frequency changes as they age... Year 1: 5-7 days, Y2+3: 7-10 days, Y4 (adult size): 10-14 days but lot of it depends on temps and individual snake too.

**Andy_G** · 02-02-17, 07:52 PM

There is zero harm or risk in trying if he's able to digest 2 or 3 pinkies at a time.

Cricket1234 · 02-03-17, 06:14 AM

K. Thanks guys!

Cricket1234 · 02-05-17, 06:08 PM

Oh my god! The fuzzy mice are huge! There is a massive size difference between pinkies and fuzzies. I do not even know if he will be able to fit it in his mouth! The fuzzies are literally twice his body width in the bag. Can I still feed him it?

TRD · 02-05-17, 07:02 PM

Can you show a picture of snake body next to the fuzzy you have there. I don't think it will be an issue though, but just to be sure about it. Can be that you previously had ~2 gram 1-day pinkies and now a large fuzzy which is about 7-8 gram (ie- pretty much a small hopper). Hence I like to go more by weight of snake and prey because mice grow so damn fast that there are big differences in size day by day.

Piggybuns · 02-05-17, 07:54 PM

An actual photo visual of mouse/snake is easier to judge for. Snakes should be fed prey about or slightly more than the girth of their body at the widest point, as a rule of thumb.

**Tsubaki** · 02-05-17, 11:32 PM

A picture would help a lot, they can take more than you'd think. Also, am I the only one who giggled at the idea of a snake watching a mouse video?

Cricket1234 · 02-06-17, 04:41 PM

I thought it was pretty funny myself. I had to stop because I was worried he would hurt himself biting the screen

His feeding day is Thursday, I will post a youtube video on my channel of him eating and send you guys the link.

GyGbeetle · 02-08-17, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cricket1234

I thought it was pretty funny myself. I had to stop because I was worried he would hurt himself biting the screen

His feeding day is Thursday, I will post a youtube video on my channel of him eating and send you guys the link.

It would be weird if he took the remote and tuned in to YouTube just to watch mouse videos.

Cricket1234 · 02-09-17, 01:19 PM

If he ever gets out I will know where to find him - watching youtube!

regi375 · 02-09-17, 02:49 PM

I don't feed my snakes anything bigger than the diameter of their body. I'd rather feed them 2 pinkies than an oversized fuzzie.

**Andy_G** · 02-09-17, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regi375

I don't feed my snakes anything bigger than the diameter of their body. I'd rather feed them 2 pinkies than an oversized fuzzie.

I don't want to insinuate that you are wrong, but I must ask if there's any particular reason why you've adopted this practice and opinion? Unsure of proper sizes or something of that nature?

regi375 · 02-10-17, 02:11 PM

I feel it's easier for my snakes to digest it that way. I choose more wording a little poorly though, as long as it's about the same size it's OK to me.