Is There a Pet Snake That Can’t Eat Mice?

One of the biggest hurdles for people interested in owning a pet snake is the feeding. The idea of keeping frozen mice in the freezer next to the ice cream is not everyone’s cup of tea. If the rodent thing is what is holding you back from snake ownership, you will be happy to know that there are actually some snake species that eat things other than mice and rats.

African Egg Eating Snake

The African egg eating snake (Dasypeltis species) is the gold standard for people who want a snake but cannot handle feeding rodents. As their name suggests, these snakes feed exclusively on bird eggs. They have specialized vertebrae in their throat that crack the eggshell after swallowing, allowing them to consume the contents and regurgitate the crushed shell. It is a fascinating process to watch and completely rodent free.

African egg eating snakes are small, usually under 30 inches, and have a gentle temperament. The main challenge is finding appropriately sized eggs. These snakes need quail eggs or finch eggs depending on their size, which can be sourced from some pet stores, online reptile suppliers, or local quail farms. Chicken eggs are too large for all but the biggest adults.

One thing to know is that egg eating snakes can be tricky to feed consistently because they need fresh, fertilized (or at least fresh unfertilized) eggs. They may refuse eggs that are not fresh enough or that have been refrigerated for too long. Having a reliable source of quail eggs is essential before getting one of these snakes.

Garter Snakes

Garter snakes are one of the most common snakes in North America, and they thrive on a diet that does not include mice. In the wild, garter snakes eat a varied diet of earthworms, fish, frogs, and salamanders. In captivity, they can be fed a combination of earthworms (nightcrawlers), cut fish pieces (like tilapia or salmon), and occasionally thawed frozen silversides (small fish available at pet stores).

Many garter snake keepers find this diet much easier to manage emotionally than feeding rodents. Picking up a package of nightcrawlers from the bait shop feels a lot different than thawing out a frozen mouse. Garter snakes are also active, curious, and generally friendly, making them excellent pets beyond just their diet. They do well in groups (one of the few snake species that can be housed communally) and come in some beautiful color variations.

Rough and Smooth Green Snakes

Green snakes are beautiful, slender snakes that feed primarily on insects in the wild. Rough green snakes and smooth green snakes eat crickets, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other soft bodied insects. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of crickets, small roaches, and occasionally waxworms or hornworms.

While feeding insects is definitely more palatable than feeding mice for many people, green snakes come with some caveats. They tend to be more delicate than other pet snake species and can be sensitive to improper husbandry. They are also not great handling snakes, as they prefer to be observed rather than picked up. For someone who wants a beautiful display animal with a rodent free diet, green snakes can work well, but they require more careful care than some other beginner species.

Water Snakes

Various species of water snakes feed primarily on fish and amphibians, making them another rodent free option. However, water snakes are generally not recommended for beginners. Many species are defensive, quick to bite, and require specialized aquatic or semi aquatic enclosures that are more complicated to set up and maintain than standard snake habitats.

If you are experienced with reptile keeping and interested in a more challenging species, some water snakes can make interesting pets. But for most people looking to avoid feeding mice, the egg eating snake or garter snake is a much more practical choice.

A Note About Snake Nutrition

While these alternatives exist, it is important to understand that all snakes are obligate carnivores. There is no snake that can survive on a vegetarian or vegan diet. The species listed above simply eat different types of animal prey than the rodents that most popular pet snakes consume. Each alternative diet has its own requirements and challenges, so research the specific dietary needs of any species you are considering before bringing one home.