Grass snakes are carnivores and should be fed raw pork, beef or rabbit meat. However, make sure all parts of the animal are included in their meal.
Grass snakes generally do not enjoy fruits and vegetables, so you should not feed them these items. Instead, focus on providing your snake with other sources of food.
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Insects
Grass snakes are primarily herbivores, though they can also consume small animals and fish. Eating insects helps them curb their hunger and fulfill their protein requirements.
These insects typically come in brown or green, with a whitish band around their neck and often double rows of darker stripes on the back. Sometimes you can even spot fully black specimens!
Their distinctive ringed neck helps distinguish them from other snakes in their range. Across their body, there are variable rows of dark markings on their scales which helps regulate body temperature better.
Reptiles
Grass snakes feed on amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts. They may also take small fish, birds and mammals if they can capture them without being noticed.
These non-venomous snakes don’t use constriction to kill their prey; rather, they swallow them whole. As their size increases, so can take larger animals than smaller snakes can.
A grass snake’s diet is vital for its wellbeing. They may be vulnerable to thiamine deficiency in the wild, so make sure they get more than just fish as part of their food source. Be sure to offer other food options alongside fish meals for added nutritional benefit.
Fruits
Snakes are carnivores and cannot digest plants due to their stomachs not being designed for this purpose.
Unfortunately, giving carrots to your pet may result in their death due to lack of essential nutrients.
Thankfully, grass snakes can eat certain types of human food items such as raw meat, eggs and fish.
Vegetables
Though feeding your snake vegetables may seem like a good idea, most snakes do not consume vegetable matter. Unlike most animals, snakes have a short intestinal tract and cannot digest plant material.
Snakes typically prefer rodent prey items like rats and mice over fruits and veggies, as these provide them with essential proteins and other essential nutrients for good health.
Seeds
Grass snakes are an annoying and potentially harmful pest in many yards. Not only do they cause harm to pets and children, but their presence can be a nuisance as well.
Maintaining the grass on your property is one of the best ways to deter snakes from entering your yard, and it also makes it easier for you to spot them if they do try to enter.
Another way to keep snakes away from your garden is to store firewood and excess lumber in a shed or garage. Rodents such as birds or mice may also attract snakes to your yard, so be sure to clean up any messes as soon as they occur.
Mice
Garter snakes are opportunistic hunters and will consume a variety of prey in the wild. Unfortunately, when kept in captivity it can be difficult to replicate their diet.
Mice are an ideal snack due to their availability, nutritional balance, and calcium content.
Grass snakes can be picky eaters, but usually accept mice if provided with an appropriate feeder.
If your grass snake is refusing to eat, try changing their food and feeding intervals according to their age and size. Baby snakes only require a small amount of food once per week, while adults might only eat once or twice per month.
Other Prey
Grass snakes are carnivorous creatures and will consume a variety of prey items. In the wild, they have been known to consume frogs, toads, lizards, fish and even earthworms.
When feeding captive snakes, they should always be offered live and fully conscious prey. Feeding a snake an object that is dead or unresponsive can be especially hazardous for hobbyists and may result in serious injuries or death.
Summertime brings grass snakes out in search of prey. They use sight and smell to search for food on the edges of ponds, sometimes staying put to bask to maintain body temperature until they digest their meal.
