The Appropiate Size for your Kingsnake or Milksnake's Food. Runts may have to be fed mouse tails, pinkie legs or small lizards. Most species of kingsnakes and milksnakes are not big enough to eat small rats, but the bigger subspecies of milksnakes and Common Kingsnake are. During pre-shedding time, snakes do not need to eat so don't offer them food. If the mouse or rat is properly sized then you will need about one to three mice or rats per feeding, depending how much your snake needs.
Individuals vary when it comes to food.
Some are in good shape at about one food item per feeding, whereas others are fine at three per sitting. Feeding problems Occasionally kingsnakes and milksnakes will have feeding problems and you will have to see what caused them. Sometimes it is just one of those times where your snake doesn't want to eat for no reason. But usually it is because it is sick, or there is something wrong about the enclosure. If the temperature is too low or too high, then there is your problem right there.