Diversified diets?

**EL Ziggy** · 07-11-13, 08:26 AM

Greetings all,
I was wondering what you all thought about feeding a variety of prey items as opposed to exclusive ones. My kings are eating mice only right now and I know they can live their entire lives on a diet of strictly mice. However, in nature I know they will eat rodents, birds, lizards and other snakes. As they grow I'm considering offering Sasha and Caesar mice, rats and maybe even chicks (all f/t of course). Do most of you feed exclusive items or do you all mix it up? Lemme know. Enjoy every moment.

Amadeus · 07-11-13, 08:27 AM

Why do you want to do this? They get all of their needed nutrition from rats/mice.

formica · 07-11-13, 08:32 AM

I like to switch diets up as well - bare in mind that some snakes can be fussy eaters, and if they have only ever eaten mice, they may only ever eat mice and refuse other things, so dont stock up on other foods until you know they will eat them.

You can try to trick them if they are fussy, by using mouse fluids (brain fluid) rubbed into the rat or chick - works sometimes, n sometimes doesnt, but worth a try

Concept9 · 07-11-13, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Why do you want to do this? They get all of their needed nutrition from rats/mice.

Heavily agree.

KORBIN5895 · 07-11-13, 08:34 AM

I fees my boas a more diverse diet including mice, rats ,rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, degus, chickens and a parakeet. I would also feed quail and pheasants if more readily available. I even have two guinea hens in my freezer in case I get a bigger girl.

**Aaron_S** · 07-11-13, 08:43 AM

60 years of this type of feeding. Why reinvent the wheel?

formica · 07-11-13, 08:50 AM

100 years of humans eating burgers, sweets and fizzy drinks....why change, eh

bcr229 · 07-11-13, 08:57 AM

My kings and milk snakes will eat either mice or rats. They don't seem to be as fussy as BP's about eating - if it smells like food (and that includes my fingers after I picked steamed crabs one night) they'll grab it.

franks · 07-11-13, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

I like to switch diets up as well - bare in mind that some snakes can be fussy eaters, and if they have only ever eaten mice, they may only ever eat mice and refuse other things, so dont stock up on other foods until you know they will eat them.

You can try to trick them if they are fussy, by using mouse fluids (brain fluid) rubbed into the rat or chick - works sometimes, n sometimes doesnt, but worth a try

I agree that there is nothing wrong with offering a diverse diet. My only fear is (like formica said some snakes are fussy eaters) if you offer the snake something he likes alot more than rodents you run the risk of having a snake that could be difficult to feed. If you can find some fertilized eggs, I know kingsnakes love them. I am not very familiar with all of the species, but I know eastern kings in New Jersey can always be found clustered around turtle populations. I am pretty sure they rely on turtle eggs as a staple. How big is your enclosure by the way? (not related just curious?)

**EL Ziggy** · 07-11-13, 09:36 AM

Hmm, a wide array of opinions I see. I guess my thoughts are that these animals eat different prey in the wild so why not give them choices? Who likes monotony anyway? LOL. I would think there are some beneficial nutrients in all prey and isn't variety the spice of life? : ) . Thanks for sharing your thoughts everyone. I really appreciate you all.

**EL Ziggy** · 07-11-13, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

I agree that there is nothing wrong with offering a diverse diet. My only fear is (like formica said some snakes are fussy eaters) if you offer the snake something he likes alot more than rodents you run the risk of having a snake that could be difficult to feed. If you can find some fertilized eggs, I know kingsnakes love them. I am not very familiar with all of the species, but I know eastern kings in New Jersey can always be found clustered around turtle populations. I am pretty sure they rely on turtle eggs as a staple. How big is your enclosure by the way? (not related just curious?)

Both my kings are in 40 gal vivs.

**Aaron_S** · 07-11-13, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

100 years of humans eating burgers, sweets and fizzy drinks....why change, eh

Surely you're not comparing the unprocessed whole prey item of a rodent to processed, artificial sugars and pieces of meat,are you?

franks · 07-11-13, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Both my kings are in 40 gal vivs.

Cool, just curious. I am starting the planning process on a massive enclosure for a kingsnake. I want to observe a snake in my version of its replicated habitat, created and maintained as naturally as possible. I picked kings, because they are local. I would be feeding it a diverse and wide variety if I went this route.

franks · 07-11-13, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Surely you're not comparing the unprocessed whole prey item of a rodent to processed, artificial sugars and pieces of meat,are you?

Lol... if you only knew what went on around here... Many chinese food restaurants in NY and NJ have been shut down by the board of health for using rat meat. One reporter even grabbed a picture of a pile of skinned rats in the alley by the back door of one in Hoboken.

formica · 07-11-13, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Surely you're not comparing the unprocessed whole prey item of a rodent to processed, artificial sugars and pieces of meat,are you?

do you recon that the rodents most people buy have been brought up on a wholesome organic diet, or a mass produced diet of processed sugars and fats?

actually my point was that humans are notoriously bad at implementing a good diet, because we go for the easy option most time

but snakes are specialists, even within a species a particular snake will specialize in its favorite prey - but, humans cannot say for sure that a diet of just mice is good for a snake, there is no scientific evidence to say that it is, the only evidence we have is that a varied diet is often more nutritious - humans can live just on McDonalds, but that doesnt mean it will be a healthy life (despite the presence of the occasional bit of salad in their burgers)