Trans Pecos problems?

[Tiny Boidae]

So, I plan on ordering my new snake this weekend (finally, I've been talking about this for a little over a year XD ) and I'm really leaning towards a nice Baird's rat snake, although they were a second option. I love trans pecos, a favorite of mine, but I heard that they develop intestinal problems with rodent-based diets and that without really good ventilation, they get sick with the bacteria that grows and stuff. I'd like the advice from people who've actually kept the trans pecos, and if this is as much of a problem as it's made out to be.

Thank you in advanced :D

[riddick07]

I have one and haven't had her overly long. I think she came home last year around this time. I have found that she eats what you would consider an undersized feeder for her size otherwise she regurgitates. I think she is a little small because of our rough start but she is easily catching up these days. I haven't heard of the diet thing though if anyone has I would definitely like to know since I'll change up her diet more if its true. I think they eat rodents in the wild though so not sure how true it really is.

Her ventilation isn't any different than anyone else I have right now and she hasn't been sick yet. I would think with basic cleaning regime it wouldn't be more of a worry than with most other reptiles. Though now I have the urge to go do the cleaning I was supposed to do today but put off till tomorrow...

[Tiny Boidae]

I'd love a trans pecos but I wouldn't be able to provide a lizard-based diet at this time. I'd read this post on ball-pythons.net and it prompted me to look elsewhere:

"Yeah. I have an endless supply of western fence lizards................

Again, read the article in Herp Nation - Part One of the Bogertophis series about the potential digestion issues.

I don't have an issue feeding my adults smaller rodent items - the problems I had were with younger animals. They would get these horrible smelling feces and then gastric infections. Necropsies showed gastric issues not related to parasites. Our vet did some research and found some information on bogertophis and digestion issues/gastric infections.

I talked to several other keepers and found varying levels of incidence among them. Just about everyone I talked to had at least a few unexplained die-offs.

In terms of ventilation, the idea is to limit the amount of bacteria in the enclosure.

These are intermediate animals in terms of husbandry. If you keep them well ventilated, dry and mind their diets, they do well."
(Trans Pecos Rat Snake (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?133141-Trans-Pecos-Rat-Snake))

Good to hear that you've had luck with yours though. The ventilation is still a concern but the diet was the real kicker. I'll still keep then in mind though since you haven't noticed any problems with yours.

[Minkness]

I messaged the owners of VMS herps, who has bred these guys for 30 years and never experienced ANY issues feeding a rodent only diet from hatchling to retired breeder.

Where did that pwrson get their info?

[Tiny Boidae]

It says in the post that he'd gotten it from Here Nation Magazine and his vet. I hadn't thought of messaging them, thank you Minkness :)

[Minkness]

Ah, missed that tiny place lol.

I'll be honest though, I'll take 30 years personal experience over an isolated study. Just my opinion however.

[Tiny Boidae]

I agree, but I'd thought to ask though. I love trans pecos, but wouldn't want to put that animal in my care if these was the potential that I wouldn't be able to meet its needs.

[Minkness]

I understand.

Think about western hognoses though. They are predominantly a frog/toad eater but about 97% of all owners feed only rodents from the time they hatch and no ill effects happen to them. Kinda why that other post threw me off. I had never heard of that before. Lol