I just threw this out there over on the anaconda forum in response to a question about a stubborn feeder. I mentioned there that I'd like to get some feedback about this method, and afterwards I decided to post it here as well. I have from time to time over the years fed my snakes prey I procured from nature. I started doing this when I was in college after I spoke with a veterinarian who was also a big boa breeder. He said that there was nothing wrong with feeding captive snakes wild caught prey as long as the prey item wasn't poisoned or shot (even with steel shot). He told me that snakes do not contract diseases from mammals. He said road kill was even OK, as long it hadn't been sitting out in the hot sun for an extended period. I must confess that I have from time to time done this with no problems to speak of, though it has been a while since I last tried it. The last wild animal I fed a snake was a small squirrel that fell from a tree and died. I found it soon after it fell, offered it to a small burm, and he gobbled it right up. This same burm has eaten road kill squirrels and rabbits. Just curious if anyone else has ever done this or if this is even a recommended practice. FWIW, I also have used pre-killed wild rodents to get stubborn baby snakes to eat. For whatever reason, several snakes that wouldn't eat captive bred rodents would feed voraciously on wild mice/rats. I haven't done this a lot, but some, and with no problems so far. Just curious about your experiences.

RP

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