Beetles and Millipedes with my snakes?

[ScalelessTime]

I have created a bio-active habitat and found some beetles and millipedes. They are about the same size as the snakes too. Will these insect harm my snakes?

[Teal]

I am interested in what folks have to say about this!

[formica]

most millipedes secrete noxious and toxic chemicals, I would be a little concerned, particularly if the snake is liable to try eating them but is not from the same place as the millipedes, what species is the snake?

[ScalelessTime]

I have a milk-snake, which was wild, and one kinsnake. The millipede is a red ceder millipede and the beetle is a leather-back brown beetle.

[jpsteele80]

Just curious but why would you even want to put beetles and millipedes in there, to me this makes absolutely no sense, I would never put anything foreign in my tanks from outside other than there food.

[ScalelessTime]

I captured the beetle and millipede about a month ago and since I added the new bio-active habitats, I would put them in there.

[jpsteele80]

I captured the beetle and millipede about a month ago and since I added the new bio-active habitats, I would put them in there.

well your certainly free to do what ever you want but I personally wouldn't do it.

[formica]

I have a milk-snake, which was wild, and one kinsnake. The millipede is a red ceder millipede and the beetle is a leather-back brown beetle.

if they are from the same area, then there is less to be concerned about, however I cannot confirm for sure that a red cedar is not a problem

...putting a milk-snake with a king snake however, is asking for trouble, king snakes eat other snakes! (hence the name, King snake)

[infernalis]

well your certainly free to do what ever you want but I personally wouldn't do it.

Apparently you have not read into bio active enclosures. I have a massive bio active habitat, and I never even have to clean it, all waste is broken down into dirt overnight.

Neither of those snakes are insectivores, so they won't even try to eat invertibrates.

[jpsteele80]

Apparently you have not read into bio active enclosures. I have a massive bio active habitat, and I never even have to clean it, all waste is broken down into dirt overnight.

Neither of those snakes are insectivores, so they won't even try to eat invertibrates.

Obviously there not insectivores but I personally don't put foreign items in my tank, that's just my preference and no I have never looked into bio active habitats, never had any interest in doing that and not putting anyone down that does. If he feels like doing it then go right ahead.

[pdomensis]

Neither of those snakes are insectivores, so they won't even try to eat invertibrates.

I think I would be more concerned that the bugs would decide to nibble on the snakes eyes or skin at some point like a live mouse would.

[formica]

I think I would be more concerned that the bugs would decide to nibble on the snakes eyes or skin at some point like a live mouse would.

millipedes have a strict diet of rotting vegetation, dont know about the beetle tho

[poison123]

Just curious but why would you even want to put beetles and millipedes in there, to me this makes absolutely no sense, I would never put anything foreign in my tanks from outside other than there food.

Millipedes and beetles eat organic matter so in a viv they may help keep the enclosure free of poop or dying/rotting plants.

[infernalis]

Millipedes and beetles eat organic matter so in a viv they may help keep the enclosure free of poop or dying/rotting plants.


Bazinga!

The only time insects EVER try and eat reptiles is when they are improperly cared for.

The ONLY reason a live mouse/rat would EVER "nibble" a reptile is when they are left with NOTHING else to eat.

In other words, if the f-tards who throw live rodents in a cage would put a bowl of rat chow or even a bowl of dry corn flakes in the cage, the hungry rodent will always chose that over eating a snake or lizard. Hell, leave a cage of rats overnight with NO food, they will start eating each other.

[CosmicOwl]

Apparently you have not read into bio active enclosures. I have a massive bio active habitat, and I never even have to clean it, all waste is broken down into dirt overnight.

Neither of those snakes are insectivores, so they won't even try to eat invertibrates.


I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but what happens to fur? my cleaners eat my snakes waste but they don't seem to do anything about the undigested fur? Do I just need to add more cleaners?

[formica]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but what happens to fur? my cleaners eat my snakes waste but they don't seem to do anything about the undigested fur? Do I just need to add more cleaners?

fur doesn't get digested or eaten by cleaners no, but it doesnt present a major issue except in small enclosures, or when there is not enough substrate. I always check inside hides etc for undigested waste, although it does get picked clean over time, it does harbor some bacteria, but is not as big an issue as urates etc

[ScalelessTime]

Bazinga!

The only time insects EVER try and eat reptiles is when they are improperly cared for.

The ONLY reason a live mouse/rat would EVER "nibble" a reptile is when they are left with NOTHING else to eat.

In other words, if the f-tards who throw live rodents in a cage would put a bowl of rat chow or even a bowl of dry corn flakes in the cage, the hungry rodent will always chose that over eating a snake or lizard. Hell, leave a cage of rats overnight with NO food, they will start eating each other.

Thank you, Infernalis, for understanding.

I wanted to see if I could add more insects or things like worms (of course) to help keep the cage clean and the habitat a little more suitable.

The beetle, for those who do not know, eats rotting wood. The ceder millipede eats dead leaves.

The reason I asked is to make sure if the insects would carry any disease with them that could be harmful to my snakes that I wouldn't know about. I have cared for my insects for about a month to see if anything was un-right about them, which they don't, and make sure that if I were to put them in the enclosure, that there should be something I should worry about (since I am new to bio-active habitats).

--I do not have my two snakes in the same enclosure. Only someone new to snakes and does not do research would put a king in with another snake.

[BoaBoy91]

I have not been on here for quite awhile but, i would love to see some pictures of this enclosure.

[ScalelessTime]

I have not been on here for quite awhile but, i would love to see some pictures of this enclosure.

If my camera gets up and running, I will be sure to post for ya' c:

[Teal]

I would love to see pictures as well!

The replies here were definitely an interesting read.