There are about 3,900 recognized snake species in the world.

They all have one thing in common when it comes to their diet. They live solely by eating meat. In other words, snakes are strict carnivores. Their unique biology enables them to take down prey, swallow it whole, and efficiently digest it.

Common Prey

Snakes feed on mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, eggs, and insects. The size of the snake typically dictates the size of their prey. For instance, small snakes may eat insects or tiny frogs while larger snakes may eat rats or rabbits. Snake species each have diet preferences. Some specialize in birds. Others rely on amphibians. Many favor rodents. Believe it or not, but some snakes can even take down deer or crocodiles.

Below are categories of common sanke prey, along with examples that captive snakes may consume within each group.

Large Mammals

• Pigs, deer, capybara, goats, sheep, dogs, monkeys
• Big constrictors, such as boas, anacondas and pythons, are powerful enough to take down large mammals. They coil around their prey to suffocate it.
• Such large meals can last these snakes many weeks. They may not hunt again for months.
• Zoos and advanced snake keepers may offer frozen-thawed pigs, goats, deer or sheep to massive snakes.

Small Mammals

• Rabbits, opossums, gophers, squirrels, mice, rats, voles, lemmings, gerbils, hamsters, chipmunks
• Studies show some mid-sized constrictors can tackle prey half their own body weight.
• In the wild, rodent numbers often determine snake population levels.
• Rabbits, mice, rats, gerbils and hamsters are widely used as snake food in the pet trade.

Birds

• Chickens, ducks, sparrows, finches, quail, pheasants, warblers, nestlings, chicks
• Tree-dwelling snakes frequently raid nests.
• Feathers pass through the digestive system as waste.
• Chicks and quail are widely used as snake food in the pet trade.

Amphibians and Reptiles

• Frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, lizards, snakes, hatchling turtles, crocodiles, caiman
• Snakes that hunt reptiles tend to be found in areas with abundant lizards or other snakes.
• Some species, like king snakes, eat other snakes. This includes venomous ones.
• Feeder amphibians and reptiles are not as widely available in the pet trade. However, some suppliers carry anoles or house geckos.

Fish

• Minnows, guppies, small catfish, small sunfish, mollies, perch fry
• Common for water snakes and some sea snakes.
• They grab fish from rivers or ocean waters.
• Only certain pet snakes accept fish. Fish that are used as feeders include: minnows, goldfish, guppies, mollies, and smelt.

Eggs

• Bird eggs, turtle or other reptile eggs
• Certain snakes, such as egg-eating snakes, consume only eggs.
• They lack strong jaws to bite prey, but they have flexible throat spines that crack eggshells internally.
• Quail eggs, chicken eggs and finch eggs are used as snake food in the pet trade. But most common pet snakes—like ball pythons, corn snakes, and king snakes—are not adapted to eat eggs.

Insects and Other Invertebrates

• Crickets, roaches, grasshoppers, spiders, caterpillars, earthworms, beetles, snails, slugs
• Nutritional value can be lower, so bigger snakes rarely waste energy on insects.
• Insects and invertebrates are not standard food for most pet snakes.
• Commercially available insects include crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, and earthworms.

How Do Snakes Eat Large Prey?

Snakes have specialized anatomy that allows them to eat prey that appears larger than them.

First, snakes have a highly flexible skull. Their lower jawbones are not fused at the chin. Instead, they connect with stretchy ligaments. This allows each side of the jaw to move independently. A specialized bone called the quadrate bone links the skull to the lower jaw. It pivots, letting the jaw swing outward. This architecture enables snakes to open their mouths far wider than typical vertebrates.

Second, snakes lack a rigid breastbone. Their ribs connect only to the spine and are free at the lower ends. When swallowing large prey, a snake’s body can expand sideways. Muscles shift the ribs to accommodate the meal.

A snake’s digestive process begins with powerful enzymes in the mouth and esophagus. Once the swallowed prey moves into the stomach, strong acids and enzymes break down tissue and bone. Fur, feathers, and scales pass through and show up as waste. Depending on prey size and the snake’s body temperature, a meal can take days to digest. Snakes need warmth to process meals.

How Do Snakes Breathe While Eating?

Snakes have a specialized tube-like structure known as the glottis. It opens into the trachea. During feeding, to prevent suffocation, the snake shifts this glottis forward and outward. This acts like a snorkel. It sits at the front of the mouth or even protrudes slightly. This positioning allows air to flow in and out, keeping an open airway while swallowing large prey.

Because of this configuration, snakes can breathe intermittently between “gulps.” They apply powerful constriction or swallowing motions, then pause to inhale through the extended glottis. Once the prey is fully swallowed, the glottis returns to its normal position.

How Often Do Snakes Eat?

Snakes have a slow metabolism. The frequency of feeding is based on a snake’s size, age, and prey availability.

Small juveniles may eat every four to seven days. Adults may space meals once every one to three weeks. For the biggest species, a large meal can sustain them for several weeks. Some anacondas have reportedly gone for a year without feeding because they secured a meal weighing tens of pounds (several kilograms). This long fasting ability sets snakes apart from many other predators.

• Young hatchlings (under 12 inches [30 cm]): May eat two times a week.
• Juveniles (1–2 feet [30–60 cm]): Often fed every 7–10 days.
• Medium adults (3–6 feet [91–183 cm]): May eat every 2–3 weeks.
• Giant species (over 8 feet [2.4 m]): Sometimes eat once a month or even less.

Studies have shown that some snakes can reduce their metabolic rate further when food is scarce.

Do Snakes Drink Water?

Snakes do drink water, though their habits vary by species and habitat. They often obtain moisture from what they eat, but they also need to drink from water sources when available.

In humid or forested areas, snakes may drink less frequently, perhaps once a week, because the air and prey provide sufficient hydration. In desert environments, they seek water more often, perhaps every 2 to 3 days, to counter dry conditions. Young snakes usually drink more regularly to support rapid growth, while older snakes can go longer between drinks. For example, a young corn snake in captivity may drink once every 7 to 10 days, while an adult may go 10 to 14 days without a drink.

For pet snakes, fresh water should be provided daily in a shallow dish.

Snakes do not use their tongues or mouths to scoop up water. Instead, they rely on a unique, sponge-like mechanism in their mouths. Their lower jaw contains folds of soft tissue that act like a sponge. Muscles in the snake’s head squeezes and releases these folds, bringing water in. Most snakes drink this way.