have you tried reptilinks?

Alvadore · 12-17-16, 03:48 PM

I tried a 25gm link with my female Columbian Boa.
First attempt she did not recognize it as food, would not strike.
I emailed ReptiLinks and the owner replied asking me to call him, which I did.

He recommended first rubbing a mouses behind all over the link to give it a scent my boa would associate with food, if that failed he recommended giving her the mouse, then gently inserting the link while the mouses tail was hanging out. The first method failed, but the second worked. He said that once she developed a food association with the links, going back to natural prey and back to links would be confusing, and not advised.

Here's the problem as I see it.
My local shop that sold me the 25gm rabbit link doesn't carry 100gm links, which is the appropriate size for my boa. They told me 2 weeks ago they would order some, but still no links in stock. I've decided to attempt to switch over once they can guarantee a reliable stock of 100gm links. Otherwise I'll bide my time until I buy a small freezer so I can purchase 50 100gm rabbit links to save the shipping fee.

bigsnakegirl785 · 12-19-16, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvadore

I tried a 25gm link with my female Columbian Boa.
First attempt she did not recognize it as food, would not strike.
I emailed ReptiLinks and the owner replied asking me to call him, which I did.

He recommended first rubbing a mouses behind all over the link to give it a scent my boa would associate with food, if that failed he recommended giving her the mouse, then gently inserting the link while the mouses tail was hanging out. The first method failed, but the second worked. He said that once she developed a food association with the links, going back to natural prey and back to links would be confusing, and not advised.

Here's the problem as I see it.
My local shop that sold me the 25gm rabbit link doesn't carry 100gm links, which is the appropriate size for my boa. They told me 2 weeks ago they would order some, but still no links in stock. I've decided to attempt to switch over once they can guarantee a reliable stock of 100gm links. Otherwise I'll bide my time until I buy a small freezer so I can purchase 50 100gm rabbit links to save the shipping fee.

Even the biggest link they carry isn't going to be big enough for your boa unless she stay really small. My 6.5' boa is eating 270-290 gram rats, and has been eating rats over 100 grams since he was 6'. If you get her started on them now, she'll just need to be switched later. Plus, the nutrient deficiencies with ReptiLinks I mentioned above. The nutrient content they claim for their sample rat and mice are way off from what a published study found rat and mice to be, and subsequently all of their links are lower in nutrients than just a regular rat or mouse.

Alvadore · 12-19-16, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Even the biggest link they carry isn't going to be big enough for your boa unless she stay really small. My 6.5' boa is eating 270-290 gram rats, and has been eating rats over 100 grams since he was 6'. If you get her started on them now, she'll just need to be switched later. Plus, the nutrient deficiencies with ReptiLinks I mentioned above. The nutrient content they claim for their sample rat and mice are way off from what a published study found rat and mice to be, and subsequently all of their links are lower in nutrients than just a regular rat or mouse.

Thanks for that info BigSnakeGirl. Mine just advanced to a Jumbo Rat, not certain of it's weight, but I'll weigh the next one I get. It's good to have this input from snake owners vice pet store staff. Much appreciated.

bigsnakegirl785 · 12-19-16, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvadore

Thanks for that info BigSnakeGirl. Mine just advanced to a Jumbo Rat, not certain of it's weight, but I'll weigh the next one I get. It's good to have this input from snake owners vice pet store staff. Much appreciated.

Jumbo rats are going to be 300+ grams, but it will depend on your supplier. If your jumbos fall within the large rat scale (150-280 grams or so) they should be fine, but I don't really suggest a jumbo rat for boas because of the fat content. A regular large rat should be plenty for a boa up to 8', after that a diet of rabbits mixed with large rats is best.

And no problem. I may change my stance if the owners of Reptilinks show us HOW they got their information, but until they do I'm going to trust the study with the paper and the numbers over their chart.

For now, my opinion is the links should be limited to omnivorous lizards being provided a mixed and varied diet, and not used for snakes, as they are simply lacking from the information being presented to us at this time.

Alvadore · 12-22-16, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I may change my stance if the owners of Reptilinks show us HOW they got their information, but until they do I'm going to trust the study with the paper and the numbers over their chart.

I spoke with the owner Nick Helble, who was very forthcoming. His contact info follows should you want to ask him directly about anything. As for me, I'm going to stick with what nature has been providing, thanks again BSG.

Reptilinks contact info:
Nick Helble: Info@reptilinks.com