I've raised several snakes from birth/neonate purchases/catches, but I recently got my hands on a neonate timber rattler. Trouble is, I can't figure out for the life of me what I should feed this thing. I've always used crickets for neonates before with no problems, but as far as I can tell, they're equipped to hunt small mammals at birth. Thing is, this snake is far too small to handle even a pinkie. Can anyone shed any light on this?
2006-12-20 16:52:09 · 6 answers · asked by deviantalpha 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Don't waste your time trying to feed other snakes to a rattler. They're not snake eaters under any circumstances. Stick with small rodents (pinkies). You'd be amazed what size food they're capable of swallowing & even if it can't swallow a whole pinkie (very rare) , you can always cut the pinkie in half. Also, I don't think you'll have much luck tring lizards as food, again, rattlers are not known to eat other reptiles.
2006-12-21 05:36:59 · answer #1 · answered by preacher55 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They should be able to take a small pinky. I hatched a red milk that swallowed two pinkies, it was pretty amazing considering the size of the milk. If that dont work try small snakes. Dont know where you live or the weather at this time but ringnecks around here can be found in large numbers.
Edit: Again,come on,.... I have read from crediable published works on rattlers or timber rattlesnakes that neonates have been known to take small snakes and small lizards in the wild. I dont think its a big secret and its worth a try.
2006-12-21 10:21:37 · answer #2 · answered by rock 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are equipped to hunt small mammals at birth...hince the fangs and venom. a snakes mouth may look small but they expand, you should already know this from raising other snakes. try a live pinky at first if that doesn't work then try an anole tale or even a mouse tale...they usually work when you have trouble getting snakes to eat.
2006-12-21 15:11:37 · answer #3 · answered by misstavia2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are certain that it is too small for a pink mouse, you might want to try a anole. They hatch out way smaller then mice. I have also had some success with mouse tails with some babies that are too small for conventional prey. Best of luck to you!
2006-12-21 01:17:02 · answer #4 · answered by fmocherokee0 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The snake may need to shed before eating if it's really that young.
2006-12-23 00:21:19 · answer #5 · answered by hoodoowoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would try pinky mice,
2006-12-21 01:35:13 · answer #6 · answered by jparker_1167 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋