Changes

The gastrointestinal tract of the snake is simple and relatively short compared with other reptiles.  Because of this comparative physiology, it it vital that these animals are given a high quality diet in captivity to maximise absorption of essential nutrients.   

The gastrointestinal tract of the snake is simple and relatively short compared with other reptiles.  Because of this comparative physiology, it it vital that these animals are given a high quality diet in captivity to maximise absorption of essential nutrients.   

*Find out information on the [[Snake Digestive System|snake digestive system]].

* Find out information on the''' [[Snake Digestive System]].

*Find out more about how the snake head is adapted to ingest whole prey in the [[Snake Musculoskeletal System|musculoskeletal system section]].

* Find out more about how the snake head is adapted to ingest whole prey in the''' [[Snake Musculoskeletal System]].

==Size and type of prey==

==Size and type of prey==

*The size of the prey can be about the same diameter as the snake's head.

* The size of the prey can be about the same diameter as the snake's head.

The feeding of whole prey is similar to a snake's diet in the wild.  The feeding of pieces of prey (e.g. fish off-cuts to [[Garter Snake|garter snakes]]) can lead to diet related diseases.  In general, since snakes eat whole animals, nutritional problems are relatively uncommon.

The feeding of whole prey is similar to a snake's diet in the wild.  The feeding of pieces of prey (e.g. fish off-cuts to [[Garter Snake|garter snakes]]) can lead to diet related diseases.  In general, since snakes eat whole animals, nutritional problems are relatively uncommon.

*Aquatic species usually prefer fish and amphibian prey items.

* Aquatic species usually prefer fish and amphibian prey items.

*Arboreal snakes usually prefer avian and reptilian prey items.

* Arboreal snakes usually prefer avian and reptilian prey items.

*Terrestrial snakes will readily accept different prey items.

* Terrestrial snakes will readily accept different prey items.

*Find out more information on [[Snake Diet|specific snake diets]].

* Find out more information on [[Snake Diet|specific snake diets]].

==Frequency of feeding==

==Frequency of feeding==

[[Image:Snake_eating_mouse_ed.jpg|250px|thumb|right|©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]

[[Image:Snake_eating_mouse_ed.jpg|250px|thumb|right|© RVC]]

*Young, growing snakes may require food every 2 to 3 days.

* Young, growing snakes may require food every 2 to 3 days.

*Active snakes such as garter snakes require several feeds per week.

* Active snakes such as garter snakes require several feeds per week.

*Small adult snakes may eat weekly or more often.

*Small adult snakes may eat weekly or more often.

*Giant snakes may only eat 4 to 6 times yearly.

* Giant snakes may only eat 4 to 6 times yearly.

*Snakes may not feed during [[Snake Shedding|ecdydsis]].

* Snakes may not feed during [[Snake Shedding|ecdydsis]].

*Some snakes do not feed during the breeding season.

* Some snakes do not feed during the breeding season.

*Potential aetiologies for anorexia in snakes that can be hard to acclimate to captivity include inappropriate prey type or size (see [[Snake Diet|diets]]), inappropriate environmental temperatures (see [[Snake Housing|housing]]), dehydration, and chronic [[:Category:Snake Diseases|disease]].

* Potential aetiologies for anorexia in snakes that can be hard to acclimate to captivity include inappropriate prey type or size (see [[Snake Diet|diets]]), inappropriate environmental temperatures (see [[Snake Housing|housing]]), dehydration, and chronic [[:Category:Snake Diseases|disease]].

'''[[Royal Python|Royal python]]'''

'''[[Royal Python|Royal python]]'''

*Environmental cues can be important for feeding.  A royal python is far more likely to eat a rodent that is similar in colour to agouti coloured free-living rodents.  In captivity these snakes are often offered albino or fancy coloured mice rather than appropriately coloured prey and therefore do not receive the visual cues to eat.

* Environmental cues can be important for feeding.  A royal python is far more likely to eat a rodent that is similar in colour to agouti coloured free-living rodents.  In captivity these snakes are often offered albino or fancy coloured mice rather than appropriately coloured prey and therefore do not receive the visual cues to eat.

'''[[Garter Snake|Garter snake]]'''

'''[[Garter Snake|Garter snake]]'''

*The presence of thiaminases in frozen fish can lead to clinical disease in fish-eating snakes, such as [[Garter Snake|garter snakes]].

* The presence of thiaminases in frozen fish can lead to clinical disease in fish-eating snakes, such as [[Garter Snake|garter snakes]].

==Preparation of food==

==Preparation of food==

Care of the prey item prior to feeding is important since nutritional deficiencies in the snake may occur if the animal being fed has been kept on an inappropriate diet.  Similarly, if poor husbandry of prey items is practiced then they may serve as reservoirs for disease.  Prey rodents should not have been treated with topical parasiticides e.g. permethrins, within three weeks of being offered to a snake (the dealer can confirm this).  In addition, prey should not have been administered drugs such as antimicrobials and euthanasia compounds.  In zoological institutions prey is often frozen at 0°C as a method of food preservation.

Care of the prey item prior to feeding is important since nutritional deficiencies in the snake may occur if the animal being fed has been kept on an inappropriate diet.  Similarly, if poor husbandry of prey items is practiced then they may serve as reservoirs for disease.  Prey rodents should not have been treated with topical parasiticides e.g. permethrins, within three weeks of being offered to a snake (the dealer can confirm this).  In addition, prey should not have been administered drugs such as antimicrobials and euthanasia compounds.  In zoological institutions prey is often frozen at 0°C as a method of food preservation.