Hmmm, Huh? Oh, I'm awake!



I'm just half-heartedly following this thread, so let me see if I've got you right---where is the fat going? That would be to fat bodies along the abdomen as the first provider of energy. Next is lipid storage in the liver, and lastly, energy stores in the muscles. Although fat storage in the abdomen and liver are very important, it seems to be that energy stores in the muscles play a significant role in breeding, especially in males. Even if males have adequate fat storage, they may not engage in courtship behavior if they have inadequate energy storage in the muscles. I'm not sure how this compares in captivity, but in the wild, we can imagine snakes coming out of a slow period and cruising around looking for mates. It doesn't seem to affect females as much, when they ovulate, they're good to go! However, condition will affect the fertility rates, general health of the clutch, and the female during the breeding season.



Fat comes from diet in all animals who are consumers. One thing I wasn't sure about when I read this...If they are providing data on dressed carcasses, I'm presuming they are feeding felids in zoos and the like. How does that equate to us as herpers who feed the whole animal? Skinning removes a lot of subcutaneous fat, not to mention visceral fat removed with organs. The age of the animal says a lot about fat content as well. A jumbo ex breeder rat will have more fat than a large, younger one.



Just food for thought! Either I participated in the thread or my coffee got cold while I typed away about nothing.



Heck, if my burm eats ANYTHING, I'm thrilled! Apparently rats are not on the menu and I've just run out of guinea pigs unexpectedly. My frozen rabbit is way too big, so I guess I'm off to buy a fresh killed for an arm and a leg at the pet store.



sigh...this snake drives me nuts

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