From what I can tell I believe the data in the report is fairly accurate. Actually, let me put it this way; I don't see anything that makes me question it. It seems to be in line with what I've heard and read. However, it's important to know that my knowledge of nutrition is basically of human consumption with a little bit of knowledge in prey items for some reptiles.



I can't remember ever hearing whether guinea pigs were high or low in fat so I can't really comment on that. I've always known pigs to be somewhat high in fat, though. While pigs have less fat (33%) than guinea pigs (46%), they have quite a bit more fat than rabbits (15%), and I've always heard that rabbits were lean, low in fat.



As far as rodents go, well......, let me say "mice & rats" since guinea pigs are rodents, too; Mice are 23% fat while rats are 32% fat. That puts rats on up there with pigs, which kinda surprises me.



I've read the whole report, Randy, and it doesn't say what size rabbit they used for the "dressed carcass" data. It does say, "Dressed carcass = eviscerated whole body with head, feet, and skin removed."





Randy said, "I have known people the have fed their burms pigs and they are usually fat snakes. I have personally fed burms rabbits for years and they weren't skinny snakes, I have been feeding 2 of my girls guinea pigs exclusively for over a year and they are by no means fat."



Here's where I think we get into the real nitty gritty. Metabolism Metabolism is sneaky and goes unnoticed a lot of time even by the most experienced keepers.



Let's take a look at Randy's comment in the above quote.

Pigs: By the time a snake is able to eat a pig it has aged and is of pretty good size. More often than not the snake's cage doesn't allow for proper exercise. Possibly due to it's age it's metabolism is starting to slow down as well. Now we have a combination that makes for fat or obese snakes.



Rabbits: With rabbits being the lowest in fat content and highest in protein, plus the age/size of a snake that can consume rabbits, we have the makings for a higher metabolism, thus typically a leaner snake. Throw the enclosure size of the snake into the equation and it should up the ante.



Guinea pigs: There again, the snake's size/age appropriate for guinea pig consumption, plus cage size = higher metabolism.



Something else that plays a part in a snake's metabolism is the conditions it's kept in. I can take two snakes of the same species, size & age, keep one within the low end of acceptable temperatures & humidity, keep the other one at the high end range or just slightly higher, and I can feed the 2nd one 1 1/2 times more prey and both snakes will grow at the same rate, or pretty darn close. Higher temps basically equals to higher, faster metabolism.



Well, I got a bit more into that I planned on. Ha! Sorry for the book. But that's my beliefs, my 2cents' worth on it. Anybody else want to chime in?



Have a good one!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American

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