What breed of snake is my snake - Page 3

Mikoh4792 · 11-23-14, 05:32 AM

We don't imitate nature when it comes to snake husbandry. We provide suitable conditions and usually give them a steady diet of a particular food item. In captivity, the point is health and longevity, not survival. In nature there are predators, other animals that co-exist with our snakes not to mention live prey items that could seriously injure or kill our snakes, disease, lots of space compared to the "x" ft by "x" ft boxes we give them, rain, floods...etc. There are so many variables in nature that we exclude in captivity. If we were to imitate nature, our snakes would probably not live very long. Nature is a constant struggle where only the fit survive. It's not a haven which provides what is best for our snakes. The "best" is what we should provide in captivity.

**Aaron_S** · 11-23-14, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrotalusR#1

Mikoh4792
I agree that smaller and more frequent meals are probably better, and that's what I personally do, but the fact that people are saying it's bad to give a snake a meal bigger around than there mid body is just ridiculous. regardless of the species. A meal that is way to big can defiantly be bad and sometimes be fatal... I have such a hard time believing that a snake that can easily be eating goats or pigs would do better on prey that are like snacks compared to what they can and should be eating... Snakes are made to eat large prey hence the whole the structure of there jaw, head and body lol... You can't really argue nature! After all isn't that what where trying to imitate in all of our cages? Why stop and start making the changes when it comes to food? You don't see any one making humidity, temp, and husbandry changes do you? why, because the the way all those things are in nature is the way that works best...why fix something that's not broken? Lol I hate that saying but it fits .
Nathan

To answer your last questions. The reason no one messes with temps and humidity is because it will kill the snake. Changing a diet generally won't.

As you said, why fix what isn't broken? I feed rats. It's easy and readily accessible for me. Gives my animals the necessary energy to survive and thrive.

I feed the boas 10 - 15% of body weight. All the species on this diet have done extremely well. (ball pythons, green trees, BCI, BCC, bullsnake, Amazon tree boas) All have steady growth rates and great body tone. There is no reason to feed them super large meals. Just because I can eat a whole cake every day doesn't I should.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-23-14, 02:38 PM

I never said super large Aaron S...and that's what I was hoping some one wouldn't say. You feed rats cas it's easier for you lol! That's not write. mikoh4792, you mite not simulate natural conditions but I sure do especially with my native species and have tremendous success producing rare seldom seem snakes such as crotalus oreganus concolor, crotalus oreganus abyssus ,crotalus ruber (costal) and the holy grail crotalus Tigris!!.. I brumate all my snakes in there large realistic cages made from materials from where they live. I follow near exact temps and humidity levels, when it rains where the snakes are from I will spray down the write cages..I do manny more things to insure a realistic environment.
Nathan.

**Aaron_S** · 11-23-14, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrotalusR#1

I never said super large Aaron S...and that's what I was hoping some one wouldn't say. You feed rats cas it's easier for you lol! That's not write. mikoh4792, you mite not simulate natural conditions but I sure do especially with my native species and have tremendous success producing rare seldom seem snakes such as crotalus oreganus concolor, crotalus oreganus abyssus ,crotalus ruber (costal) and the holy grail crotalus Tigris!!.. I brumate all my snakes in there large realistic cages made from materials from where they live. I follow near exact temps and humidity levels, when it rains where the snakes are from I will spray down the write cages..I do manny more things to insure a realistic environment.
Nathan.

It's great you spray them down. Do you give them snowfall too? How about hail? Do you set up a fan in the enclosure on windy days?

What's not right about feeding rats to my snakes? Are you saying I should go and find gerboas because that's what ball pythons eat in the wild?

CrotalusR#1 · 11-23-14, 09:05 PM

Well Aaron S.. it sounds like you must not know that snakes aren't out in the wind, snow and hail, glad I could help you out on that one.
Of course I don't simulated dangerous conditions that don't aid anything as far as the snakes are concerned.. If you have any more brilliant questions go ahead and ask.
Nathan

**Aaron_S** · 11-23-14, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrotalusR#1

Well Aaron S.. it sounds like you must not know that snakes aren't out in the wind, snow and hail, glad I could help you out on that one.
Of course I don't simulated dangerous conditions that don't aid anything as far as the snakes are concerned.. If you have any more brilliant questions go ahead and ask.
Nathan

Oh. I thought you made a realistic environment. My bad. I got the impression from your posts that you were almost better than others because of this. No one harms their animals by not replicating hours of rain with a simple spray down. I personally don't see a problem with what you do and don't really care. It's your right. I would prefer if you didn't seem to judge others on their practices as if it's inferior.

Never answered my question though.

CrotalusR#1 · 11-23-14, 10:02 PM

Aaron_S, I don't see any one as better or worse and if I came off that way I apologize. Juge is a strong word, I'm just doing what were all doing, debating. As long as some ones caring for there snake properly than why should I or any one els care. I do believe that it is important to closely mimic the environment including food. Sorry if I came off as judgmental because seriously that's something that I really really hate. I just believe that natural is better as far as things that aid the snake and a verity in prey and prey size is a part of that...
Best regards
Nathan.

**Aaron_S** · 11-23-14, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrotalusR#1

Aaron_S, I don't see any one as better or worse and if I came off that way I apologize. Juge is a strong word, I'm just doing what were all doing, debating. As long as some ones caring for there snake properly than why should I or any one els care. I do believe that it is important to closely mimic the environment including food. Sorry if I came off as judgmental because seriously that's something that I really really hate. I just believe that natural is better as far as things that aid the snake and a verity in prey and prey size is a part of that...
Best regards
Nathan.

To each their own. I don't see how a variety of prey or prey size aids in a snake's health. As I said before. I don't really care how you do things. It's your right and it isn't harming the animals.

Sounds more like it's for your peace of mind that you're "helping" the snake in some way.

bigsnakegirl785 · 11-24-14, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

We don't imitate nature when it comes to snake husbandry. We provide suitable conditions and usually give them a steady diet of a particular food item. In captivity, the point is health and longevity, not survival. In nature there are predators, other animals that co-exist with our snakes not to mention live prey items that could seriously injure or kill our snakes, disease, lots of space compared to the "x" ft by "x" ft boxes we give them, rain, floods...etc. There are so many variables in nature that we exclude in captivity. If we were to imitate nature, our snakes would probably not live very long. Nature is a constant struggle where only the fit survive. It's not a haven which provides what is best for our snakes. The "best" is what we should provide in captivity.

Exactly. +1 Unnatural doesn't always mean bad.