Black racer wont eat; what should I use?

Question

I have a black racer that I recently caught and I wanted to keep it for the summer and display it to the kids I teach. It wont seem to eat small mice (correctly sized) should I use pinkies which seem too small or perhaps a lizard?

Answer 1

well pinkies should do good but if it wont eat that than try the lizard..

Answer 2

A racer is one of the worst snakes you could have caught to teach kids about snakes. They are incredibly aggressive and do not usually live well in captivity. Most of the time they won't even feed in captivity. They have one of the widest diets of any snake. In they wild, they eat rodents, birds, eggs, snakes, lizards, frogs, and grasshoppers. Babies often won't take rodents and prefer frogs or lizards.

Answer 3

all racers , ESPECIALLY wild caught  racers make notoriously bad captive. not really a kid/ display thing. you should release it back and look into a corn snake.

Answer 4

Like a couple of people have already answered, they don't make good beginner pets. Racers are very high strung and don't usually tame down like other snakes. They are active hunters and use their speed and sharp eyesight to 'chase down' prey. They also need a large enclosure and don't handle well. Look for a kingsnake or similar colubrid for demonstrations as they have a mild temprament and are alot calmer.

Answer 5

If the snake is wild release it. Snakes can not easily transfer from live to dead prey, and even if they manage this, will not eat if at all stressed. If you keep a wild animal in your house it will most likely die.

I appreciate your intentions though, kids should always be taught about local wildlife and reptiles. Why not ask a local zoo or animal rescue centre to bring a snake to class?