Diversified diets?

[EL Ziggy]

Greetings all,
I was wondering what you all thought about feeding a variety of prey items as opposed to exclusive ones. My kings are eating mice only right now and I know they can live their entire lives on a diet of strictly mice. However, in nature I know they will eat rodents, birds, lizards and other snakes. As they grow I'm considering offering Sasha and Caesar mice, rats and maybe even chicks (all f/t of course). Do most of you feed exclusive items or do you all mix it up? Lemme know. Enjoy every moment.

[Amadeus]

Why do you want to do this? They get all of their needed nutrition from rats/mice.

[formica]

I like to switch diets up as well - bare in mind that some snakes can be fussy eaters, and if they have only ever eaten mice, they may only ever eat mice and refuse other things, so dont stock up on other foods until you know they will eat them.

You can try to trick them if they are fussy, by using mouse fluids (brain fluid) rubbed into the rat or chick - works sometimes, n sometimes doesnt, but worth a try

[Concept9]

Why do you want to do this? They get all of their needed nutrition from rats/mice.

Heavily agree.

[KORBIN5895]

I fees my boas a more diverse diet including mice, rats ,rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, degus, chickens and a parakeet. I would also feed quail and pheasants if more readily available. I even have two guinea hens in my freezer in case I get a bigger girl.

[Aaron_S]

60 years of this type of feeding. Why reinvent the wheel?

[formica]

100 years of humans eating burgers, sweets and fizzy drinks....why change, eh ;)

[bcr229]

My kings and milk snakes will eat either mice or rats. They don't seem to be as fussy as BP's about eating - if it smells like food (and that includes my fingers after I picked steamed crabs one night) they'll grab it.

[franks]

I like to switch diets up as well - bare in mind that some snakes can be fussy eaters, and if they have only ever eaten mice, they may only ever eat mice and refuse other things, so dont stock up on other foods until you know they will eat them.

You can try to trick them if they are fussy, by using mouse fluids (brain fluid) rubbed into the rat or chick - works sometimes, n sometimes doesnt, but worth a try

I agree that there is nothing wrong with offering a diverse diet. My only fear is (like formica said some snakes are fussy eaters) if you offer the snake something he likes alot more than rodents you run the risk of having a snake that could be difficult to feed. If you can find some fertilized eggs, I know kingsnakes love them. I am not very familiar with all of the species, but I know eastern kings in New Jersey can always be found clustered around turtle populations. I am pretty sure they rely on turtle eggs as a staple. How big is your enclosure by the way? (not related just curious?)

[EL Ziggy]

Hmm, a wide array of opinions I see. I guess my thoughts are that these animals eat different prey in the wild so why not give them choices? Who likes monotony anyway? LOL. I would think there are some beneficial nutrients in all prey and isn't variety the spice of life? : ) . Thanks for sharing your thoughts everyone. I really appreciate you all.

[EL Ziggy]

I agree that there is nothing wrong with offering a diverse diet. My only fear is (like formica said some snakes are fussy eaters) if you offer the snake something he likes alot more than rodents you run the risk of having a snake that could be difficult to feed. If you can find some fertilized eggs, I know kingsnakes love them. I am not very familiar with all of the species, but I know eastern kings in New Jersey can always be found clustered around turtle populations. I am pretty sure they rely on turtle eggs as a staple. How big is your enclosure by the way? (not related just curious?)

Both my kings are in 40 gal vivs.

[Aaron_S]

100 years of humans eating burgers, sweets and fizzy drinks....why change, eh ;)

Surely you're not comparing the unprocessed whole prey item of a rodent to processed, artificial sugars and pieces of meat,are you?

[franks]

Both my kings are in 40 gal vivs.

Cool, just curious. I am starting the planning process on a massive enclosure for a kingsnake. I want to observe a snake in my version of its replicated habitat, created and maintained as naturally as possible. I picked kings, because they are local. I would be feeding it a diverse and wide variety if I went this route.

[franks]

Surely you're not comparing the unprocessed whole prey item of a rodent to processed, artificial sugars and pieces of meat,are you?

Lol... if you only knew what went on around here... Many chinese food restaurants in NY and NJ have been shut down by the board of health for using rat meat. One reporter even grabbed a picture of a pile of skinned rats in the alley by the back door of one in Hoboken.

[formica]

Surely you're not comparing the unprocessed whole prey item of a rodent to processed, artificial sugars and pieces of meat,are you?

do you recon that the rodents most people buy have been brought up on a wholesome organic diet, or a mass produced diet of processed sugars and fats?

actually my point was that humans are notoriously bad at implementing a good diet, because we go for the easy option most time

but snakes are specialists, even within a species a particular snake will specialize in its favorite prey - but, humans cannot say for sure that a diet of just mice is good for a snake, there is no scientific evidence to say that it is, the only evidence we have is that a varied diet is often more nutritious - humans can live just on McDonalds, but that doesnt mean it will be a healthy life (despite the presence of the occasional bit of salad in their burgers)

[Concept9]

Lol... if you only knew what went on around here... Many chinese food restaurants in NY and NJ have been shut down by the board of health for using rat meat. One reporter even grabbed a picture of a pile of skinned rats in the alley by the back door of one in Hoboken.

I'm never going it eat in the United States again. :wacky:

[franks]

I'm never going it eat in the United States again. :wacky:

Lol... my friend... if you have been driving all the way down here for take-out-chinese-food you have bigger issues than what you have been eating.

[Concept9]

Lol... my friend... if you have been driving all the way down here for take-out-chinese-food you have bigger issues than what you have been eating.

That would be a large issue. :)

But no, I do however have friends there I visit from time to time and I have eaten at a Chinese buffet.

[Amadeus]

do you recon that the rodents most people buy have been brought up on a wholesome organic diet, or a mass produced diet of processed sugars and fats?

actually my point was that humans are notoriously bad at implementing a good diet, because we go for the easy option most time

but snakes are specialists, even within a species a particular snake will specialize in its favorite prey - but, humans cannot say for sure that a diet of just mice is good for a snake, there is no scientific evidence to say that it is, the only evidence we have is that a varied diet is often more nutritious - humans can live just on McDonalds, but that doesnt mean it will be a healthy life (despite the presence of the occasional bit of salad in their burgers)

What is your evidence that a varied diet is more nutritious?

[formica]

What is your evidence that a varied diet is more nutritious?

basic nutrition - google it, but the basics are, that every food type contains different levels of different nutrients, based on the physiology and the diet of the animal (or plant) in question, this inculdes everything from protiens and fats to minierals, amino acids and vitamins

[KORBIN5895]

do you recon that the rodents most people buy have been brought up on a wholesome organic diet, or a mass produced diet of processed sugars and fats?
)

If you did any research on mass produced rodent chow you would see that they strive to eliminate both fats and sugars from their feed.

[Starbuck]

My snakes eat a base of ft mice but I do offer them game animals oniccassion, including fertilized sparrow eggs and young sparrows. Some snakes eat wild caught geckos etc.... though with any wc animal there are riska of parasites. I think its a issue of personal dpreference, I don't think there are strong arguments FOR feeding a diverse diet.

[EL Ziggy]

Yeah, I figure mice will be the staple of their diets but I do want to offer them treats and delicacies sometimes. Only the best for my babies. Where would I find the eggs, sparrows, chicks, and lizards you all speak of? Are they available f/t? Gratitude and thanks.

[EL Ziggy]

Roll Tide!!!

[franks]

Yeah, I figure mice will be the staple of their diets but I do want to offer them treats and delicacies sometimes. Only the best for my babies. Where would I find the eggs, sparrows, chicks, and lizards you all speak of? Are they available f/t? Gratitude and thanks.

Chicks are extremely cheap and readily available frozen online. I think rodentpro usually carries them.

[Pareeeee]

I'm never going it eat in the United States again. :wacky:

You've never been to Chinatown in Toronto, have you? :P