It might sound strange that many snakes have to be ‘trained’ to eat mice, but that is exactly what needs to happen with many species in captivity. This is because many young snakes are born (or hatch) with strong instincts for particular foods – their natural prey in the wild. Snakes rely heavily on their sense of smell to detect their food. Most would eat small skinks, frogs, or even fish as their first wild meals, and are usually not tempted by the smell of a baby mouse.

Teaching baby snakes to consume mice may involve several steps, and while some individuals will take to plump pink mice readily, others can be reluctant for quite some time. Sometimes scenting the mice with a hint of ‘skink essence’ is enough to entice the snake to eat, but with some individuals there is no alternative but to manually assist them to ensure their survival. After a while they begin to associate the smell of mouse with food, and will happily feed all by themselves.

All the mice used as snake food by Live Exhibits are dead, and are purchased frozen. There are several advantages to this; they do not carry parasites, they do not present physical a risk to the snakes (live mice bite), and it is a more humane method.

‘Assist feeding’ a baby Alpine Copperhead: The mouse is presented to snake so that it bites down upon it.

The snake is gently released with the mouse still in its mouth.

Instinct takes over and the snake swallows the mouse. The snake will become more accepting of smell and taste of the mouse each time it feeds like this. Photos: Claire Steel/Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria