Snake Sausages

[mathaldo]

http://www.t-rexproducts.com/Dynamic/product_detail.asp?item=70201&series=1

I found our about these awhile ago and just wanted to see if anyone has ever used them or heard of them? Also does anyone know if they're safe for a snake to eat, and if there is anything negative about this product?

The reason I ask is because I'd really like to get a snake, ie. a western hognose, and I'm NOT allowed to feed a mouse dead or alive, so I was wondering if they could live on these "sausages?"

[LISA127]

From what I've heard about them they are fine, the problem is IF the snake will eat them. And something tells me a western hognose would be less likely to accept them than say, a cornsnake.

[mathaldo]

I thought that too, and then read these 2 links...

http://forum.**************/hognose/messages/7668.html

http://forum.**************/hognose/messages/7659.html

Replace the stars with king snake.com with no space in the middle.

[marisa]

Well, the snake sausages are more expensive than mice. And they do not contain the fur of the mice. Only certain parts. If this is good or bad, I do not know.

Marisa

[Hamster of Borg]

They don't contain any mice at all. They are made with "meat and meat derivatives" that they claim is fit for human consumption. If they won't even say what kind of meat, its not fit for any consumption. I know I certainly wouldn't eat them... nor would I feed them to my pets. :P

Ham

[HeatherRose]

From what I hear, it's not a good idea. Most snakes NEED the hair from the mice/rats the eat for digestive purposes. There's always exceptions with some snakes, like those that are cannibalistic and eat other snakes. Don't sacrafice your snakes health for convenience.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

The reason I ask is because I'd really like to get a snake, ie. a western hognose, and I'm NOT allowed to feed a mouse dead or alive, so I was wondering if they could live on these "sausages?"

This certainly does put a damper on feeding and keeping most snakes. I assume there is a reason for this beyond your immediate control.

As for the sausages, I have heard both pro and con on the subject of using them as a substitute for "natural" meals of reptiles. Some pros are that they are simple to use, easy to store and wont gross out family members when kept in the fridge. At least I would think. Still does not promise they will be accepted by any captive snake.

Some cons, your substituting a more natural diet for convenience. I simply believe any herp benefits at best when offered the closest natural diet they can. Also, I may add, that these products are not necessarily controlled by the Food and Drug Admin. because they are not for human consumption. Therefore, they can be made from just about anything. They need not state what their product is made from for that reason. Personally it is something I would not use. I know when I feed a rat to a snake that it is in fact a rat. Bones, flesh, fur and all. But by all means, give them a try if you desire. I do not think there is an immediate risk, but possibly could be long term problems down the road. My 2¢.

[sapphire_moon]

My cousin runs a pet shop (and he's just as animal crazy as I am) and when he gets in snakes that has been fed snake sausages, and every snake that has been fed snake sausges have bacterial infections because the caseing of the "snake sausages" are hard to digest.

I think they are a bad idea.

[bubba]

I've used them on occassion. It seems in your case you have no choice. Maybe you could supplement the diet with a good vitamin and calcium powder. That's kind of hit or miss though.