have you tried reptilinks?

macandchz · 09-12-16, 07:32 PM

i was wondering if anyone has ever tried feeding reptilinks to their snakes? what did you think of them?

Jeffco · 09-12-16, 07:54 PM

I'm seriously considering it, it would just be a bummer to get a whole case and have no one eat them. I can't find them locally.

kill go · 09-12-16, 07:56 PM

What is reptilinks...

REM955 · 09-12-16, 08:18 PM

Google it.
Ground up rodent meat that is supposedly better for your herp. No clue if you'd get a snake to eat it.
Pulled form the site: Link Chart
I know there has been some discussion before on it, but it didn't look promising.

pet_snake_78 · 09-12-16, 09:33 PM

Seems very expensive to me. So far as I can tell, the vast majority of snakes do great on frozen rodents.

SWDK · 09-12-16, 09:39 PM

I actually had a discussion about them yesterday with a buddy of mine who owns a reptile shop. He had reptilinks advertising up in the store. He said he feeds them to his bearded dragons, tegus, blue tongue skink and Savannah monitor. They go nuts over them from what he said. He hasn't tried any snakes yet, but he plans on it.

REM955 · 09-12-16, 09:55 PM

Any idea if it is more nutrient dense, not just calories? I know on the site it suggested something about double the nutrition or something that you do not need to feed every week.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-13-16, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REM955

Any idea if it is more nutrient dense, not just calories? I know on the site it suggested something about double the nutrition or something that you do not need to feed every week.

They're less nutrient dense. By a lot.

Their nutrient chart for "sample mouse":

Protein 15.24%
Fat 9.59%
Calcium 0.61%

Whole mouse:

Protein 64.2% for neonates, 44.2% for juveniles, and 55.8% for adults
Fat 17% for neonates, 30.1% for juveniles, and 23.6% for adults
Calcium 1.17% for neonates, 1.47% for juveniles, and 2.98% for adults

Their nutrient chart for "sample rat":

Protein 16.83%
Fat 8.81%
Calcium 1.18%

Whole rat:

Protein 59.7% for neonates, 56.1% for juveniles, and 61.8% for adults
Fat 23.7% for neonates, 27.5% for juveniles, and 32.6% for adults
Calcium 1.85% for neonates, 2.07% for juveniles, and 2.62% for adults

Reptilinks nutrition chart.

Whole prey chart, and the complete version.

I find it hard to believe that nutrition that low actually caused any increased results in much of anything. If all they do is remove feces, skin, and fur, where is all of that nutrition going? And that's just for rats and mice. I say save it for the lizards that have a varied diet, and maybe cats/dogs/ferrets/etc. on a raw diet, but I personally would never trust my snakes on this stuff.

Also, as it is now you don't "have to" feed mice or rats weekly anyways.

MDT · 09-12-16, 10:19 PM

I did my research before switching, but now I use them exclusively for my carpets (except for my hatchlings that will be sold). Nutrient content superior to that of rats or mice. 2300kcal/kg for venison link compared to 1300kcal/kg equivalently weighted rat. Calcium and phosphorus markedly better as well.
More calories per feeding = don't need to feed as often = not as expensive as you think (my food costs did not go up when I switched).

**Minkness** · 09-12-16, 11:49 PM

Hmmm...that sounds interesting. Maybe something to look at.

MDT, why inly your carpets? Why not the whole collection?

dannybgoode · 09-13-16, 12:07 AM

I'm always dubious of these things. Humans have a knack of processing nature so that on paper the refined food looks better on paper but in reality is not as good for you.

You can for example extract all the goodness out of fruit but the concentrate misses the natural fibres etc so is processed in a different, less beneficial way by the body. Is the same true of reptiles and natural bone and skin for example?

I'd want to see long term trials which prove a benefit, not just the calorie content, calcium numbers etc as I don't think they tell the whole story.

I go nuts for a McDonald's-don't mean is good for me

MDT · 09-13-16, 04:41 AM

Mink...LOL, that is my WHOLE collection

(I was feeding them to my retics before I parted with that portion of my collection).

Danny, these are not "processed" (like a Chicken McNugget), it is whole prey. Venision/rabbit/quail (whatever) along w organs, bones, etc. are ground into this product. Btw, you mention fiber...fiber content is higher than equivalent rodent mass.

Nick Helble (the developer/owner) has years of use of this product well before he rolled it out commercially. His carpets are some of the most amazing ones I've seen. Clutch size and quality improved after for example.

Trust me..as a physician, I am used to looking for evidence before utilizing a new drug, procedure, etc. I am absolutely NOT trying to convert anyone into a fan boi of Reptilinks. I will however, recommend that people do their research on the product BEFORE they pronounce judgment. I think if critical research is conducted, the product stands on its own.

dannybgoode · 09-13-16, 05:26 AM

Thanks MDT. That's a robust enough answer for me-I will investigate further. It wasn't a case of simply dismissing the idea out of hand but it's been known before for things to be touted as the next big thing but your answer reassures me.

Now to see if there's a uk distributor or someone who makes a similar product over here.

MDT · 09-13-16, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Now to see if there's a uk distributor or someone who makes a similar product over here.

I think he will begin importing to Canada soon (?). I know some UK folks on the Reptilinks FaceBook page have inquired about getting them over there.
Message Nick or Tyler Helble from there and I'm sure they would be happy to provide info as needed. They are very accommodating and the customer service is outstanding.

I will say that apparently some species are more finicky than other in converting. My retics (when I still had them switched no prob...but then again, they'd prob eat a tire). 3 of my carpets took them immediately. The other 2 were a little more picky, however, they have switched too and take them w no problems. I always keep a few frozen rats on hand just in case they decide they'd rather have something else

edit... and as a huge plus, their poops are smaller in volume (more of the food product utilized in digestion) and they do not smell nearly as bad as w rats or chicks. I am using the venison and rabbit links btw.

macandchz · 09-13-16, 06:21 AM

i agree with jeffco on the fact that it looks like you have to order a large amount just to try them. the company is located near cinncinnati and seem to distribute them heavily in new england. closest retailer to me is cleveland so i would have to order them. videos i've seen show the snakes gobbling them down. thanks everyone for the reply.