update on the ASF's

Sasha2 · 01-08-16, 04:27 PM

Its been 8 days and they still dont smell like anything(6 in a 55 gallon tank on wood shavings).
I am deliberately waiting to clean them out to see how smelly they will get.
They do bite though, got a nice nip from one.
They eat the rat food(big chunks of whatever) and like the parrot mix too but they demolish any fresh veggies or fruits off first. They love peas, carrots, greens and rasberries. They will eat the peas from my hand.

I dont expect babies for another month or so because they are young.

Also they prefer the hide on the warm side to the cool hide, so Im glad I provided heat.

pitontheprowl · 01-09-16, 09:09 AM

If I remember right, I went 2 or 3 weeks before cleaning.
I had 1.7 in a 55 gallon tank.
They did eat all the silicone out of it too.

**Minkness** · 01-09-16, 10:45 AM

Don't snakes get addicted to AFS? They sound like a GREAT alternative to mice, which stink to high heavens, but I would worry that it would be hard to switch them to rats.

Or would that be any kind of sitch?

**EL Ziggy** · 01-09-16, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Don't snakes get addicted to AFS? They sound like a GREAT alternative to mice, which stink to high heavens, but I would worry that it would be hard to switch them to rats.

Or would that be any kind of sitch?

I hope snakes don't get addicted to ASFs. I bought a few as treats for my critters. I figured it's just another prey item. I hope they like them but they can't insist.

**Minkness** · 01-09-16, 11:06 AM

I don't think it's an issue if just a trear, but if that becomes their main staple, I have heard that you either can't get the snake to take anything else, or it's at least very difficult. I don't know of course as it's all hearsay, but yeah. Lol.

If that's the case though, I may try my own ASF colony when I get that house. I have already talked to my mom about possibly adding a large shed in the back specifically for rodent breeding. Still not sure if I want to deal with that much work though.

Humble308 · 01-09-16, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I hope snakes don't get addicted to ASFs. I bought a few as treats for my critters. I figured it's just another prey item. I hope they like them but they can't insist.

Hahaha Zigs I think our Pitouphis will eat anything!

**EL Ziggy** · 01-09-16, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humble308

Hahaha Zigs I think our Pitouphis will eat anything!

That's what im thinking too Humble. So far they've smashed everything I've offered them. My carpets eat rat, mice, and chicks so I'm hoping they'll get on board too. My kings are a bit more particular.

**Minkness** · 01-09-16, 11:38 AM

Aren't chicks too big for your little carpet? I may look at trying my girl on a quail

**EL Ziggy** · 01-09-16, 11:54 AM

My 400g coastal gets a chick and/or a rat weaner each feeding. I'm not totally sure about my jungle just yet Mink. He's 165g and eating (2) rat fuzzys per feeding. I know he can eat jumbo mice and probably a rat pup. I wouldn't be surprised if he could eat a chick now but I'll wait til he's 250g before I offer a chick. I want to try quail too but neither Big Cheese nor Perfect Prey sell them.

**Minkness** · 01-09-16, 12:12 PM

Yeah, they are by rodent pro which is where my store buys their feeders, so they have the quail. Maybe I'll give it a try. She hasn't seemed picky aboyt eating yet so maybe ahe would take it =)