questions about feeding nightcrawlers

[jwolfe152]

what im wanting to know really is how do you know if a worm is to long or big for the snake? in terms of the worm crawling back out after eating. what i have been doing so far is cutting them into 3rds and feeding one at a time. last night she ate for the first time from my fingers and almost got my finger. which brings my next question how much is enough? she is around 13-14 inches from the measuring app from here Serpwidgets - Snake Measurer and a little smaller round than my pinky finger or a little smaller than a sharpie marker. also i have finally named her Ekoh (echo) from greek mythology just because i really like greek mythology.

EDIT: i also forgot to mention i plan on picking up some pinky mice also for a little variety and for the other nutrients that the nightcrawlers don't have

[Foxrun402]

If the snake is small... Cut the pieces of the worm to about the size of the head of the snake... then you cant go wrong with it being too small for tong feeding pieces, or too big for the snake... I always just cut them to be the same size or slightly bigger then the snakes head.

Edit: For babys with pinky mice... I always take them out of the freezer and immediately use a decent butcher knife designated for pinks... lat flay on back and cut down the middle then cut 5 strips so you have 10 pieces to feed to the baby which is 1 whole pink but when its cut it is digested much faster as well.

Sounds gruesome... But what must be done, will be done I guess

[d_virginiana]

Basically, I just think of what would seem appropriate for the snake and then go one size down till they're full grown Like it's already been said, you can't go wrong with going too small.

[jwolfe152]

If the snake is small...

that is one problem i don't know if she is considered small or not i don't even really know how old she might be or her true length with some of her tail missing.

Sounds gruesome... But what must be done, will be done I guess

i dont have any problem with stuff like that for a pet especially one i like so much lol

[jwolfe152]

Like it's already been said, you can't go wrong with going too small.

that's why i have been cutting them into 3rds i just wasn't sure if there was any kind of standard or whatever

im also not sure of the amount i know i read somewhere about it is enough when there is a slight bulge but not sure about how long the bulge should be..idk maybe im just too worried and over thinking things i just want her to be a BIG (not obese) healthy girl. i just love having her, i have always wanted a pet snake and now that i have one i want to be a good human to her lol

[ThamGirl]

I had a problem with proper size of worms. My big female has to have them cut into thirds, but my smallest male will only eat them if they are still in one piece- I just drown the worm until it's just barely wiggling before I give it to him. As a rule though- the advice above is pretty sound, just be ware of picky eaters.

[jwolfe152]

i got one more question when feeding night crawlers what should the feces look like? i was wondering because sometimes its a darker kind of yellowish or brown and some places in her aquarium where it looks like its white like a bird. i wasn't sure if its normal for it to be different like that from time to time or if maybe she has something from being a WC

[ConcinusMan]

The white or yellowish part is urates. Birds and reptiles have very similar waste. Sometimes just urates comes out and it dries to a white chalky yellowish crystalline appearance or urates and feces come out together. The darker stuff is feces.

[Foxrun402]

I admire your thirst for knowledge Jwolfe =)

[guidofatherof5]

i got one more question when feeding night crawlers what should the feces look like? i was wondering because sometimes its a darker kind of yellowish or brown and some places in her aquarium where it looks like its white like a bird. i wasn't sure if its normal for it to be different like that from time to time or if maybe she has something from being a WC

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husb...6-poop-id.html