Other things to feed your snake?

[kimbosaur]

Both my snakes eat them. One took to them immediately, and the other needed a little scenting.

[d_virginiana]

I like keeping a small variety around like fish, worms, and pinkies just because mine will randomly decide to stop eating one food item and suddenly go crazy for another. I probably wouldn't try to get them eating something more complicated like chicken livers or egg whites (I think there have been threads about those in the past) just because it would require scenting to get them to even try it, and I don't want them to think that something I don't have on hand often is something they can hunger-strike for.

[guidofatherof5]

Years ago I tried the can-o-snailes. Most of my snakes refused to eat them.

I do give a treat now and then of turkey heart and turkey liver usually around Christmas and New Years when they are available in bulk.

[kimbosaur]

I doubt you could get a garter snake to eat canned snails.

I'm afraid I don't understand. Snakes are not like humans, variety on the supper plate is of little interest.

Several people here do very well with just a rodent diet.

As for "meat" whole prey items are far more nutritionally complete.

Reptiles utilize virtually everything from whole prey, when you start feeding hunks of meat or organs, many necessary nutrients including the calcium from skeletons is missing from the meal.

I remember that post well.

So did you mean to say, "I doubt you can get a full snake to eat canned snails"?

[Steveo]

I try to stick to things that I know are good and are as safe as possible. Right now everyone gets f/t rodents (if they'll eat them) and f/t silversides, though I'm starting up a tank for feeder guppies this week because of the hassle of dealing with silversides. I'm getting the guppies from a reputable breeder to minimize the risk of parasites. I know it's not as cost-effective as silversides, but the reduced time and effort of cutting and thawing smelly silversides is more than worth it to me.

[Stefan-A]

Can O Snails has no fans here. Not a single snail was eaten.

[kibakiba]

No, he didn't.
Some of Stefan's snakes go into 'lego' mode, which means they'll pretty much eat anything, including legos.

[kimbosaur]

I got that part...

Edit: Thought I should clarify. What I meant is that the two statements are contradictory so I was looking for clarification.

[guidofatherof5]

Don't let them gorge on the fish and you should be fine.
I will suggest you get over your problem with the worms as worm as a very good food source. I know it's gross and all but your snakes deserve the benefits of worms in their diet.
Just my opinion.

[Sonya610]

I will suggest you get over your problem with the worms as worm as a very good food source. I know it's gross and all but your snakes deserve the benefits of worms in their diet.
Just my opinion.

For me it isn't the ick factor, I just feel so bad cutting up those desperate, squirming, live animals. I did it years ago when feeding a baby bird and it was just too much, ended up freezing them solid and cutting them up after. I am also suspicious of anything like that from Walmart, they aren't selling them as food so God only knows where they are getting them and what they are being fed.