Throw up

[ProXimuS]

I fed my snake about 4 silversides on Sat., and he ate 3 of them seemingly no problem. Then yesterday afternoon I realized he had thrown them up. Is this bad, and if so, is it serious?!? He seems fine, alert, moving around and exploring, and I saw him drinking this morning.

[ProXimuS]

Also I guess I want to ask: When can/should I feed him again?

[guidofatherof5]

It's a problem when it occurs frequently. Something to watch for.
I'd wait a day before attempting food again and I think I would offer less food to see if it's going to stay down.
Any chance it's the fish? Thawed and refrozen once to often? Left out just a little too long?
Maybe feed something else to see if it's a problem for other food items.
Just some ideas.

[EasternGirl]

I agree with everything that Steve said...I would make sure the fish has not gone bad and wait a day or so before trying again. Then, try to feed him something different and keep a close eye on him. Keep us posted!

[Invisible Snake]

I think there could be a few potential reasons for your snake throwing up, maybe he ate too much, maybe he was stressed after eating, maybe he's not used to eating silversides and it didn't agree with his stomach at the time. (btw I have never kept ribbon snakes, only garters and I have never fed them silversides)

Also regurgitation is bad because not only does the snake throws up his food but also electrolytes and bacteria from the gut which aids in digestion. I would not reccomend feeding him within 24-48 hours since the regurtitation.

Next time try to feed him the foods that he's used to and in addition feed him just 1 silverside with it, Then next time make it 2 silversides, always decreasing the foods he's accustomed to while increasing the amount of silversides.

[ProXimuS]

So silversides are actually what he's used to eating. I don't think it should have been the fish. They have been completely frozen until I thawed them for him. I only let them soak in warm water for about 30 minutes. And it took him about 30-45 minutes till he ate them. So it was only maybe an hour total that they "sat out."
I will wait until at least tomorrow to feed him again, and maybe I should try it with pinkies instead, just in case.

[chris-uk]

I'd try with a single silverside if they're what he's used to. If that stays down I'd feed him a couple more the following day.

[ProXimuS]

I fed him one fish on Teus. and he did eat and held it down. I'm going to try two today and see what he does/thinks.


Thanks alot yall!! I really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge:)

[guidofatherof5]

Glad this feeding went well. Maybe he only had an upset tummy.:D

[ProXimuS]

Alright! So little man ate his 2 today, and might I add it was the first time he readily ate while I was in the same room as him, not taking a nap:p And I was actually watching him (from a short distance) and I know he could see me watching. He's been a pretty shy eater so far, but I guess thats changing. I'd love to start to be able to tong feed him, but I'm going to give it a little more time.

I still have not tried pinkies with him yet and would like to start(and earthworms). I wanted to ask something about the pinkies though. Since he has been eating silversides, I've been putting them in his waterbowl and he gets them from the bottom. With the pinkies, I'm not sure how I should feed them. Can they go in the waterbowl too? (Of course f/t, not live....) Or should I try putting them on a small plate of some sort. I'm just not sure what he would do about them if they're not in the water since thats where he's used to getting his food from. Also right now, I'm using aspen bedding, and I'm afraid of it getting stuck to it.
Also, what is better (size wise I guess), mouse pinkies or rat pinkies. I know they're mouths/throats stretch, but I'm just afraid of him eating something too big and maybe choking or it getting stuck(not sure if it's possible:p)

[guidofatherof5]

I wouldn't worry about that too much.
They tend to know what they can handle and what they can't.

[Dan72]

I wouldn't worry about that too much.
They tend to know what they can handle and what they can't.

Agreed. My group ate pinkies for the first time tonight, and one little gal I just knew had more than she could handle... ate it. I would still cut smaller next time because she had me worried the entire time she worked it. But she got it.

[Steveo]

I still have not tried pinkies with him yet and would like to start(and earthworms). I wanted to ask something about the pinkies though. Since he has been eating silversides, I've been putting them in his waterbowl and he gets them from the bottom. With the pinkies, I'm not sure how I should feed them. Can they go in the waterbowl too? (Of course f/t, not live....) Or should I try putting them on a small plate of some sort. I'm just not sure what he would do about them if they're not in the water since thats where he's used to getting his food from. Also right now, I'm using aspen bedding, and I'm afraid of it getting stuck to it.
Also, what is better (size wise I guess), mouse pinkies or rat pinkies. I know they're mouths/throats stretch, but I'm just afraid of him eating something too big and maybe choking or it getting stuck(not sure if it's possible:p)

How large is your snake? A 3' female can easily down a few rat pinkies. Try to match the food size to 1-1.5x the snake's maximum girth. I usually try to feed the biggest food they'll eat to save some money; for example, it costs less to feed 2 rat pinks than 5-6 mouse pinks.

[ProXimuS]

He's only 21" and his head isn't very big. I would guess his head is about 3/4" wide maybe...

[ProXimuS]

...Maybe more like 1/2" wide(his head), now that he's not sleeping and I can see him...

[Steveo]

He might not be big enough for rat pinks, then. My hands are a little on the small side and a rat pink is about the size of my thumb, if that helps.

[ProXimuS]

Maybe I will start with the mouse pinkies, then. I haven't actually seen them, so I will get a better idea upon seeing them. And I guess also, if worse comes to worse, I can cut them up like I've heard(read) other people saying they do.


And thanks again:D

[Invisible Snake]

If you decide to cut them up make sure you do it while they're still frozen, it's a lot less messy.

[ProXimuS]

Ooh yea...Thanks for the tip. I hadn't really thought of that! I'll definitely remember that:p