Eager Eater

[Reptiliancousin]

Singapore was more than happy to receive her mouse this afternoon. For fun I had her chase the mouse around her tank before I actually gave it to her. She swallowed it within minutes, the fastest I've ever seen her eat a mouse! Singapore enjoys every meal she receives.
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[katach]

That's a pretty big meal.

[Reptiliancousin]

She's ate them before with no problem. Right now she's happily digesting near her light. Perky as ever.

[ProXimuS]

Omg!! A ribbon!! Is she a Gulf Coast Ribbon?

[guidofatherof5]

Just a word of caution. I lost a very dear snake to a fur blockage. She was a T.radix and far more likely to get mice in the wild.
I personally don't think garters eat live adult(fur bearing) mice even in the wild. They really lack the ability to secure an adult mouse and the chances of them being injured are great. I think they stick to pinkies or fuzzies, something that can't fight back.
Here, we are talking about a ribbon snake, far more less likely to encounter any mice let alone an adult. Ribbons are more of an aquatic prey snake.
I only bring this to your attention so you are aware of a possible risk.
You could skin the mouse before you feed it. This way she can enjoy a big meal with less of the risk.

Singapore is a beautiful snake by the way.

[thamneil]

Beautiful ribbon! I will second what Steve has said about the mice. I would stick to pinkies or fuzzies, something with a little less fur and a more suitably sized prey item. Everyone has methods that work for them though.

[Invisible Snake]

Cute snake, cool pics, thanks for sharing.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Because of Thamnophis having a high metabolic rate they do better when fed on smaller meals,also with a smaller meal the snake feels less uncomfortable and is less likely to regurgitate it.But it's good to see your snake's has a good apitite and is looking good:D

[EasternGirl]

Beautiful snake! I agree with what has been said about live prey and fur...best to stick with f/t pinkies. :)

[Reptiliancousin]

The mice I feed her are frozen and are supposed to be fuzzies. I didn't really beleive the guy I talked to at the pet store when he told me they were. First time I fed these to her I kept a very close eye. As much as she eats I'd go broke feeding her pinkies since the biggest box around here is just a six pack of pinkies. This fuzzie in the picture was actually smaller than what I normally find in the boxes so that was good. I do keep an eye on her during and after she eats. I do get plenty of large dumps from her following her meal a few days later and there's lots of fur and a tail. With her big appetite she'd eat a small elephant if I let her!

[EasternGirl]

Lol...totally understand the money situation. The pinkies at the shops around here are $1.25 each. You know you can order them delivered in bulk. You do have to come up with the money to buy them in the first place...but in bulk, you save a ton of money and they last a long time. I order from Mice Direct and Rodent Pro. I think the smallest amount you can order is 100 for $16.00...plus shipping which ends up coming out to about $60...which, I know, is a lot of money to come up with if you don't have any...but think of how much you save compared to how much you are paying at stores.

[guidofatherof5]

I would never classify those as fuzzies. That's fur not fuzz.:D

[Reptiliancousin]

I know! The guy is more interested in flirting rather than giving out the mice info. I need. Creep.

[Steveo]

Lol...totally understand the money situation. The pinkies at the shops around here are $1.25 each. You know you can order them delivered in bulk. You do have to come up with the money to buy them in the first place...but in bulk, you save a ton of money and they last a long time. I order from Mice Direct and Rodent Pro. I think the smallest amount you can order is 100 for $16.00...plus shipping which ends up coming out to about $60...which, I know, is a lot of money to come up with if you don't have any...but think of how much you save compared to how much you are paying at stores.

I've had good experiences with Layne Labs. My last order was 75 mouse pinks, 50 rat pinks, and 50 small adult mice. I think the total cost plus shipping was around $110.

[Reptiliancousin]

How long did that last you? If you don't mind my asking.

[Steveo]

I had 3 juvenile snakes when I placed the order (have since added an adult and have 7 babies coming tomorrow).

If I had just stayed with the 3 snakes it would have been about a 5 month supply (not counting the adult mice; none are big enough to eat them yet).

If they're all eating well it's 4 mouse pinks and 2 rat pinks per week. I have not run the numbers but I figure it's about $15-20/month (including shipping costs) to keep the 3 snakes on their pinks. It would have been a $85 order if I didn't get the adult mice.

Since I added the adult I'm about halfway through the 50 rat pinks already. I'm also going to need more mouse pinks for the new babies. I just keep telling myself that feeding all of these snakes will only cost about the same as feeding my dog and cat :)

[katach]

I use Layne Labs as well. Love them!!! I split my order with Chantel so it made it cost even less. I highly recommend them! We ordered 500 large pinks. I got half. We did that Oct 2011 and I'm just now running low and we had 5 snakes at that time and have 11 now. The packaging makes it very easy to store and keep fresh. If you want them packed a certain way you can even call and talk to them and they will accommodate you. Great company!!

[thamneil]

Maybe you should try flirting about mice next time! But seriously, buying bulk online is the way to go. You guys are so lucky in the states. The prices on RodentPro are dirt cheap! Selection is great to! Wish I could get hairless mice...

[kibakiba]

I really love Layne Labs. Kat did all the ordering, of course, but they shipped pretty fast... Kat's 'shipping' them to me was pretty fast also... ;)

[katach]

That was a pretty drive! As soon as I have day off and some extra gas money we'll be up there to give you your birthday present. But this a topic for another thread. :D