Posted by:
zach_whitman
at Mon Feb 23 16:45:44 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by zach_whitman ]
Yes snakes can get food poisoning. It is rare and you need the right pathogenic kinds of bacteria, but it is possible. And it would be more obvious in neonates that do not yet have a fully competent immune system.
I will feed a mouse that has sat for a day, but beyond that when they start to bloat and stink you are playing a risky game. Most of the time it will be fine. But a dead animal is a great anaerobic environment and perfect for growing some REALLY nasty bacteria like clostridium (botulism and tetanus ect).
Snakes in the wild probably do scavenge, and they probably suffer for it occasionally. I just wouldn't risk it personally.
[ Hide Replies ]
|
RE: Kingsnake syndrome - zach_whitman, Mon Feb 23 16:45:44 2009