Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone care to weigh in on the idea of substituting venison for fuzzies? Its a lean red meat. . . I figure as long as its fed sparingly, it would make a good alternative, and the price is right. . .

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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

Well you could feed venison(deer meat) but I wonder why? If fed sparingly as you state, it will do no harm. But then, it will not really do much good either.

What I find of wonder is, people always want to talk about idea or perfect or best, this and that and the other thing. Then want to feed something of little value. You know, thats not idea or perfect or not even close to best, heck lies somewhere south of OK. If you want to, go for it. But please report back.

I use to feed my albigs rabbits/birds/snakes and other roadkill, but it sorta was a neutral, it didn't hurt them, but it really did not good either.

About your rudis skin, it appears to have some travel marks. But overall appears healthy. Give it normal decent husbandry and it will be fine. heck monitors are tuff as nails. And even in nature they commonly have crusty skin. They are not a snake.

Good luck

first and foremost, i appreciate the advice on my new rudicollis, and the input about venison. i wasnt trying to rationalize or intentionally feed something less than ideal for my monitors. My train of thought was that some venison with miner-all would be just as good as a f/t fuzzie, as it would be the meat and protein they need +calcium. I hunt, so I have venison in abundance and is a very convenient and inexpensive food. However if it is not an acceptable replacement for the f/t fuzzies that i feed them once or twice weekly, then I will simply stick to the mice. I was looking for a reasonable alternative, not a cheap way out. I had wondered if others had tried the same or similar feeding techniques. From what you say, if it is more to worse than better, than I'll keep the venison for my own consumption (insert shudder from PETA memebers here). The feeder roaches are on the way anyhow . . . we'll see how long i can put up with breeding roaches. . .

thanks again to everyone to responded

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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

"My train of thought was that some venison with miner-all would be just as good as a f/t fuzzie,"
Nowhere near as good, in fact its just meat, whereas the fuzzy has some hair, gut contents, organs, skin, a nervous system, etc etc, also its own calcium supply. Feed whole animals all or most of the time. I have monitors that eat every day, some eat every other day, some 2 times a a week, some once a week or less (but the younger animals eat daily or almost daily).

I don't think that anyone is telling you not to offer a little peice of venison as a treat. I offer a varied diet of chicks, mice, grasshoppers etc. But if I'm cooking chicken, turkey or venison, I will often heat up an unseasoned sample for the boys. I think the important thing is not to consider this a "replacement" of whole foods- merely a small augmentation. Venison and rabbit are generally considered the highest protein meats, and have virtually no fat. Great stuff!

How on earth do you equate a piece of meat to a treat? Its just a piece of meat.

The only way I can figure(maybe I'am slow) is both a piece of meat and human treats are not normally considered all that good for you.

Also the word treat is generally associated with taste. Do monitors have favorite foods based on taste?

I have tested lots and lots of different foods, and two things stick out. Movement and level of hunger. Both of those effect perference more then anything else. Size of food item can be important at times. Level of hunger is based on metabolism and need. A full stomach seems also to be important, but treats? I don't get it. Help me get it. cheers