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[[Image:Boa_constrictor_240x180_border.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''[[Boa constrictor]] feeding''' © RVC]]

[[Image:Boa_constrictor_240x180_border.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''[[Boa constrictor]] feeding''' © RVC]]

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

All snakes are carnivores.  With over 2900 different species, some snakes have highly [[Snake Diet|specialised diets]] (eggs, lizards, frogs, fish, fish eggs or invertebrates such as slugs or termites) while others are generalists and will eat a wide variety of prey items.  Common pet snakes such as rat snakes, milk snakes boas and [[Royal Python|pythons]] typically feed on rodents but some pet and many exhibition snakes require [[Snake Diet|special diets]].  It is therefore necessary to have species-specific information to determine the most appropriate prey.

All snakes are carnivores.  With over 2900 different species, some snakes have highly specialised diets (eggs, lizards, frogs, fish, fish eggs or invertebrates such as slugs or termites) while others are generalists and will eat a wide variety of prey items.  Common pet snakes such as rat snakes, milk snakes, boas and pythons typically feed on rodents but some pet and many exhibition snakes require [[Snake Diet|special diets]].  It is therefore necessary to have species-specific information to determine the most appropriate prey.

Snakes do not chew their food and prey is eaten whole, including up to 30% predigested vegetable matter which comes from the prey animal.

Snakes do not chew their food and prey is eaten whole, including up to 30% predigested vegetable matter which comes from the prey animal.

Mitchell, M.A. (2004). Snake care and husbandry. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 7:2 pp. 421-446.

Mitchell, M.A. (2004). Snake care and husbandry. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 7:2 pp. 421-446.

[[Category:Snake_Husbandry]]

[[Category:Snake_Husbandry]]

[[Category:Snake_Physiology]]

[[Category:Snake_Physiology]]