Some snakes eat crickets and some do not. Small insect-eating snakes such as rough green snakes, smooth green snakes, and young garter snakes will take crickets, but rodent-eating snakes like ball pythons, corn snakes and boas do not need them.
Snakes That Eat Crickets
- Rough and smooth green snakes: insects are the main part of their diet. Crickets, grasshoppers and caterpillars are all fine. See what rough green snakes eat.
- Baby garter snakes and ribbon snakes: may take small insects along with earthworms.
- Hatchlings of some species: a few baby snakes will eat small crickets or other insects as a first food.
- Blind snakes: eat ants and termites rather than crickets.
Snakes That Should Not Be Fed Crickets
Most popular pet snakes, such as ball pythons, corn snakes, kingsnakes and boas, eat mice and rats. Crickets do not give them the nutrition they need, and a snake that is not interested may ignore them. Feed these species whole rodents. Our post on feeding snakes frozen mice explains how.
If You Do Feed Crickets
- Use captive-bred insects. Wild-caught bugs can carry parasites and pesticides.
- Gut-load them. Feed the crickets fresh vegetables and a quality cricket diet for a day or two before feeding.
- Dust with calcium as your vet advises, for insect-eating species.
- Pick the right size. A cricket should be about the size of the space between the snake’s eyes.
- Don’t leave crickets in the cage. They can nibble a snake that is not interested.
Other Insect Choices
Besides crickets, insect-eating snakes may take grasshoppers, roaches, waxworms (as an occasional treat), caterpillars and spiders. Variety is better than one food only.
Bottom Line
Crickets are food for small insect-eating snakes only. For most pet snakes, whole frozen-thawed rodents are the right choice. If you are not sure about your species, check a reliable care sheet or ask a reptile veterinarian.
This is general information. See a reptile vet for health problems or specific diet advice.
