Posted by:
W von Papineäu
at Thu Mar 4 19:40:03 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by W von Papineäu ]
TIMES PICAYUNE (New Orleans, Lousiana) 04 March 04 Group husbands reptiles, amphibians (Laura Maloney)
Creepy crawlies with scales or nails make some of us squeamish. Others find them irresistible. Reptiles are popular pets in America despite their deadly reputation.
New Orleans is home to the Louisiana Gulf Coast Herpetological Society (www.lgchs.org ), an active group of people dedicated to the husbandry and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. If you're a fan of herps, a term used to describe reptiles and amphibians, you would enjoy the camaraderie of these devoted individuals.
I often call upon them when I need expert advice. I also call upon the Audubon Zoo's senior curator of reptiles and amphibians, Kevin Bowler.
When asked recently whether hamsters are appropriate food for snakes, I double-checked my reply with Bowler before answering the question.
"Snakes have strong digestive enzymes and they are very capable of digesting bone," Bowler said. Hence, hamsters are no different than any other rodent being fed to a snake.
Snakes are undeniably carnivores, although some shelter staff would prefer that snakes be vegetarians. Thankfully, most snakes can be trained to take dead food. As strange as it sounds, you can buy packs of mice in the same form as we buy chicken from the grocery store.
Bowler has advice for people who feel snakes and other herps must be fed live food. "In my career, there have been very few snakes that I've had to give live food to. You can condition nearly any snake to take dead prey," he said.
He went on to tell me that zoos have fed dead rodents to herps for the past 40 to 50 years with great success. Literature shows that, in the wild, snakes will eat roadkill and other carrion.
And not only can snakes thrive on dead creatures, it's more humane than feeding them live rodents, Bowler said.
In the wild, the snake or rodent can flee. In captivity they cannot. Snakes can be injured by the rodent when constricting it, and the rodent can be paralyzed with fear when it is cornered.
So, if your child is begging for a pet serpent, what do you do?
Contact the Herpetology Society and read a few books for beginners. When looking for a breeder, you want to find a person who is breeding for specimens that represent their wild counterparts, not mutations or color phases of the original.
Corn snakes are an excellent choice, Bowler said. They are readily available, attractive and docile. If you decide to get a snake for yourself or your child, be sure to research the breed so that the snake is cared for according to its species' needs.
The LA/SPCA acquires many reptiles that are near death simply because the owner was unaware of the animal's physiological needs.
To learn more about the fascinating life history of herps, attend one of Louisiana Gulf Coast Herpetological Society's meetings. The next one will be on March 14 at 2 p.m. at the Cytec Museum in Kenner, 303 Williams Blvd. For information call 468-7232.
Group husbands reptiles, amphibians
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 LA Press: Group husbands reptiles, amphibians - W von Papineäu, Thu Mar 4 19:40:03 2004
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