Snakes normally have gums that are closer to white than to the pink of human gums. So I am a bit skeptical of the diagnosis. And many of the supplements for herps have a lot of calcium, which is useless for boas. Rodent-eating snakes get calcium from the bones of the prey.

On the other hand, here is a copy of a tip from a rather short-lived magazine from some years ago. It folded in a year or so, but they printed some good stuff in that time.

This tip was printed without the contributor's name. I think I met him about that time, though I can't remember his name either. Anyway, this guy made the same suggestion and added that the vitamin pill should be made of lecithin and kelp instead of having a sugar coating. He didn't think the snakes digested the sugar coating well.

I tried his suggestion on Burmese pythons, and it seemed to work. Or at least didn't hurt. However, I couldn't find the Solovite brand at the local health food store. I used Solotron brand, that seemed to be about the same thing. Both had vitamin D3, 10,000 I.U. of vitamin A, and a long list of other ingredients that were in almost microscopic type (to fit on the label). Probably the
brand isn't particularly important as long as the ingredients are about the same.

I generally fed the pills with a dead rat. Easiest way is to pry the rat's mouth open a bit and put the pill in crossways behind the incisors. (It always made me think of a cartoon dog with a bone in his teeth.) Then feed the rat to the snake.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian. Not responsible for any ill effects or disappointments resulting from the administration of diet supplements to herps.

Paul Hollander

-------------------

Tips

To inprove the condition of captive snakes try using Solovite
vitamin-minereal tablets. Sluggish appetites have been improved with
routine use of this supplement.

Dosage: Not to be used in animals of two (2) lbs. or less.

1 tablet / 40 pounds once every two (2) weeks.

For animals of lesser or greater weight, regulate the time rather than
the dosage.

ex. A 10 pound snake would get one (1) tablet every eight weeks.

This product is available at health food stores or from Solgar Co., Inc.,
Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563.

- Natl. Assoc. for Sound Wildlife Progs. Newsl. 1(2): 7. (Oct-Nov 1977)

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