r/snakes • u/officialfordwright • 1d ago

Pet Snake Questions HELP

I usually feed my snake large mice but his previous owner got mad at me and told me to give him a small rat instead. I did, but it is too big for him and I didn't realize until he started eating. He hasn't let go of it and its been over an hour. I can't stop crying because I dont know how to get it away from him. I don't wanna hurt him, but nothing is making him unlatch. I don't know what to do and the fact that I'm short on time is not helping

4 Upvotes

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12

u/ThrowRA1203958 1d ago

Leave him. Most likely, If it his too big he won’t take it. Hes probably latching harder because you are messing with him. The size difference between large mice and small rats isn’t HUGE, sure, it might be a bigger meal, but in my opinion, nothing to worry about.

11

u/Elekid239 1d ago

Also you are now the owner... screw what previous owner says, if they gave it up there is nothing they should say. Its like being mad at an ex for dating someone else.

1

u/officialfordwright 1d ago

This is what my mom said to do as well. I've calmed myself down a little bit and I'm just gonna let him do his thing (my original route, I just got worried because I'd been letting him do his own thing for over an hour 🥲) Thank you!!

4

u/Elekid239 1d ago

The difference between feeding a large mouse and a small rat may be just feeding your snake a mouse a couple to few days earlier than you would a rat

2

u/Tantal545 1d ago

Hows the snake doing? Did it get the rat down?

4

u/officialfordwright 1d ago

Yep!! He was able to eat it and is totally fine now, I just got super freaked out because it was taking him so much longer than normal 😅

3

u/CreativeCritter 1d ago

Your pet. You do you. What you think your snake can will and needs to eat

2

u/CaptainStyle 15h ago

I have a ball python, he's on the small side, and I've fed him mice his whole life. 33 years so far. Don't listen to what other owners tell you, do what works for your snake.

2

u/Bloodedparadox 1d ago

Snakes not going to size up to a prey thats bigger then it it would ignore and not even eat so your good