have you tried reptilinks? - Page 2

SerpentineDream · 09-13-16, 07:39 AM

The micro links look like they'd be perfect for feeding tiny snakes like baby garters.

I'm not sure it would be economical to feed them to my entire collection unless I only had to feed half as often. However I may pick up some micro links to have on hand for littles and perhaps also some larger sizes for my persnickety ball pythons. Maybe they'll take those when they turn their noses up at rats.

Worst case scenario, if the snakes refuse them my greyhounds will take them off my hands.

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.

**Minkness** · 09-13-16, 08:34 AM

Hmmmm....you know, I'm not sure of the point of feeding less often. I thinkbthe snake would still FEEL hungry between feedings, wouldn't they?

MDT · 09-13-16, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Hmmmm....you know, I'm not sure of the point of feeding less often. I thinkbthe snake would still FEEL hungry between feedings, wouldn't they?

The difference in protein content allows for this. I have moved from feeding rats every 10 days to links every 2 weeks. Growth and satiety seem consistent.

Just my observation.

**Andy_G** · 09-13-16, 08:36 AM

I'd definitely at least try this product if it were to become available in Canada and at a reasonable price.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-13-16, 09:28 AM

I've been meaning to try these for a while now. I'll have to order some and see how they go over with my critters. I may not completely switch from rodents but if the snakes like them I may incorporate them into their diets as a supplement.

sattva · 09-13-16, 10:21 AM

Will I ran some numbers and I got 7 meals at 75g for the links, verse 10 meal going with the small/medium rats chart size they have... So! That's Frog & Rabbit for 7 meals, verse 10 meals of small f/t rats... The rats wins on the money end but what about the nutritional end of it?

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-13-16, 10:58 AM

Now let's look at the "net calories." Reptilinks measures by the kilogram, the whole prey chart by the gram. There are 1,000 grams to the kilogram.

So, "sample mouse" is 1,348.55 per kg, and "sample rat" is 1,337.9 per kg.

Whole mouse is 9.7 for neonates, 8.5 for juveniles, and 11.8 for adults. Now multiply those by 1,000 to get the kg number. 9,700 for neonates, 8,500 for juveniles, and 11,800 for adults.

Whole rat is 12.2 for neonates, 14.8 for juveniles, and 9.8 for adults. That's 12,200, 14,800, and 9,800 calories per kg.

(Even dividing the kg out to grams, that's 1.35 per gram for the mouse, and 1.34 per gram for the rat.)

sirtalis · 09-13-16, 01:01 PM

Interesting, so its an entire rat/mouse ground up, I was thinking about the reptile sausage from the early 2000s that was only meat haha might want to try with a few of my snakes. If not i'm sure my monitors would enjoy them

SerpentineDream · 09-13-16, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirtalis

Interesting, so its an entire rat/mouse ground up, I was thinking about the reptile sausage from the early 2000s that was only meat haha might want to try with a few of my snakes. If not i'm sure my monitors would enjoy them

They don't use rats or mice.

Depending on the type you buy they use rabbits, chickens, quail, frogs or venison (or some combination thereof).

sirtalis · 09-13-16, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerpentineDream

They don't use rats or mice.

Depending on the type you buy they use rabbits, chickens, quail, frogs or venison (or some combination thereof).

Shoot, my bad haha I literally checked their website right after I posted that

macandchz · 09-13-16, 02:16 PM

i called the reptilink company and found out that a 25 gm link is equal to an adult mouse. the smallest package you can get is 20 links. all shipping is $19. the links cost $20 for that size. the guy said that 50-60% of ball pythons will take to them. other snakes do better. he suggested feeding the snake his regular prey and slipping the link in right after to get them used to eating them. he recommended i find mac a girlfriend-not happening.