"There's a dead duck in my yard, full of maggots. Can I feed the maggots to my herps, or is that just nasty?"



Wild boxies would come across this delectable meal and consume till their hearts content. However wild boxies have viruses and parasites. There is some research currently indicating that parasitic riddled boxies seek out/ crave specific wild plants that control their parasitic load.



It is well known that boxies consume mushrooms that are fatal to humans and many other animals; yet have no harmful affect on them.

Captive boxies don't have those options; as we control their diet.



So if they pick up viruses or parasites we as their caretakers assume all responsibility for their health. With bird flu threatening to be a pandemic; and you have found a duck dead of unknown causes, this raises a red flag. This duck may have died from some very virulent bug. And while phoenix worms are maggots they are raised under controlled conditions; a pile of maggots from an unknown species can also be carriers from their last dead animal or feces which their parents/ancestors ate.



Truthfully I'd be more concerned about the unknown cause of the dead bird with reptiles being so close on the evolutionary scale. For me I wouldn't take the risk; as I have available uncontaminated food.



Now if the meat was of known origin and the maggots obtained via a lab....I'd say Bon Appetit...



Ric



Florida Boxies pipped 7/28/06

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