What I think is that instinctually, hatchling hogs know what they want to eat. I believe it may depend on locality and what is abundant in the area whrn hogs hatch out. For instance, in one area they are from, toads may be a very abundant prey item where as in another area. Small lizards and rodents may be in great abundance.

What does this have to do with why a half clutch of babies will take ft rodents without a problem and the other half needs some type of scenting agent? Well my theory is that our captive breeding stock is a melting pot of localities, so maybe with some of these hatchling, they instinctively seek out certain scents and recognize it as something to eat. As they grow larger, their prey options broaden and they become less picky or reliant on any one prey item.

Anyway, that is just my personal theory. Mifht be something to consider.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]