Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 2 months ago I switched over to feeding my A. mississippiensis Arctic Mice from "Petsmart" as opposed to buying live feeder mice and freezing them myself. After reding about how they're raised and fed an excellent diet chosen to aid in the health of reptiles, I figured this to be a good idea.

Arctic Mice: shop.petsmart.com/article/10134198673350546/9852723696506880/2534374302023694.htm

Problem is, in the last month, rather the last 2 weeks, I have noticed little "marble shaped" looking pellets, that somewhat resembled a large cichlid food pellet, and about the same size. Upon further inspection of these pellets, I have concluded that they are made up of fur, tightly packed into these round marbles.

So, whats that all about? Anyone ever seen or heard about this, my understanding is the crocodilian digestive system is the best on earth, with the ability to digest anything, so I would assume maybe my specific specimin is having some digestive issues, no?

He is eating normal, acting normal, and his enclosure temps are all normal. Nothing much has changed since I got him almost a year ago other than switching food items. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any help guys.

alligatordiary.blogspot.com/

In fact it is perfectly healthy. Crocodilians are not capable of digesting the hair on food items. Under ideal and properly kept conditions, your crocodilian will intermittently regurgitate the hair that it is isn't able to digest.
Perfectly natural occurence.

Chris

>>About 2 months ago I switched over to feeding my A. mississippiensis Arctic Mice from "Petsmart" as opposed to buying live feeder mice and freezing them myself. After reding about how they're raised and fed an excellent diet chosen to aid in the health of reptiles, I figured this to be a good idea.
>>
>>Arctic Mice: shop.petsmart.com/article/10134198673350546/9852723696506880/2534374302023694.htm
>>
>>Problem is, in the last month, rather the last 2 weeks, I have noticed little "marble shaped" looking pellets, that somewhat resembled a large cichlid food pellet, and about the same size. Upon further inspection of these pellets, I have concluded that they are made up of fur, tightly packed into these round marbles.
>>
>>So, whats that all about? Anyone ever seen or heard about this, my understanding is the crocodilian digestive system is the best on earth, with the ability to digest anything, so I would assume maybe my specific specimin is having some digestive issues, no?
>>
>>He is eating normal, acting normal, and his enclosure temps are all normal. Nothing much has changed since I got him almost a year ago other than switching food items. Any thoughts?
>>
>>Thanks in advance for any help guys.
>>
>>alligatordiary.blogspot.com/
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Whew!

Just thought it was odd since I haven't seen anything like that yet, but thanks for the reassurance.

How are things in Ohio going? I know you had alot on your plate with the legislation issues and your research.

It appears that we have slowed down the legislation issue for a while, but we have to keep an eye on it. As far as my research for my website is concerned, all is well. I am actualy starting to post a couple pages online, but it isn't totally active yet. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks,

Chris

>>Whew!
>>
>>
>>
>>Just thought it was odd since I haven't seen anything like that yet, but thanks for the reassurance.
>>
>>
>>
>>How are things in Ohio going? I know you had alot on your plate with the legislation issues and your research.
-----
U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Sounds good, good luck with everything, I will love to see your site once it hits beta mode.

Any work you need on stuff for the site lemme know, I am well versed in photoshop among other graphic software.

>>>>About 2 months ago I switched over to feeding my A. mississippiensis Arctic Mice from "Petsmart" as opposed to buying live feeder mice and freezing them myself. >>>>

>>>>Problem is, in the last month, rather the last 2 weeks, I have noticed little "marble shaped" looking pellets>>>>

Why wouldn't he have seen this originally when feeding frozen"live"?? hair is hair.

Rob

Technically speaking he should have. When feeding any product with hair it can't be digested. Perhaps, he is just now recognizing it. I wonder if he is using a filter?

Chris

>>>>>>About 2 months ago I switched over to feeding my A. mississippiensis Arctic Mice from "Petsmart" as opposed to buying live feeder mice and freezing them myself. >>>>
>>
>>>>>>Problem is, in the last month, rather the last 2 weeks, I have noticed little "marble shaped" looking pellets>>>>
>>
>>Why wouldn't he have seen this originally when feeding frozen"live"?? hair is hair.
>>
>>Rob
-----
U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Are you guys talking about me while I am not here?

lol, well, I have had his setup the same for awhile, running a Rena XP3 canister filter on his enclosure and I def have just seen these pellets recently, as some of them float, and some of them get stuck to the intake on the filter. I have never seen anything like this other than the regular "poop" on a sparatic basis since regualr fecal matter seems to be broken down pretty quickly in this setup.

It def has only been since the food item swap that i have noticed this, but one thing that came to mind is these are supposed to be "super-healthy" and "packed full of nutrition" where as the other mice, for all i know, weren't taken care of very well, one of the big reasons I made the switch.

I guess what I was saying with all that was maybe the hair was there, just not in these little pellet shapes, small enough to fall into the cracks of the substrate and up in the filter without me ever noticing.

Considering that any mouse breeder worth anything (or one that would even advertise on the web) use pretty much the same rodent chow, how much are you paying for those frozen mice?

I'd think you are paying a much higher price than you would if you found a local/semi-local breeder.

Just a thought.

>>I guess what I was saying with all that was maybe the hair was there, just not in these little pellet shapes, small enough to fall into the cracks of the substrate and up in the filter without me ever noticing.

I probably am, that is to be expected, but what I like about these, is they're already frozen, and individually bagged. For me thats a lot easier than buying fresh live mice and gut-loading them myself, then freezing them, just chop off a few steps, not to mention as far as sanitization, I feel much better about these.

It is a good thought though, my plans for the future are to breed the mice, guinea pigs, etc myself, but for now someone else can do that part for me until I get more space to work in.

Yeah thats how all frozen mice are sold, so arctic mice is nothing special except for sellign thru a mainstream source at a premium.. Unless you have a big lot that you can build a rodent house far away from the main house, I'd think twice. They smell bad and are alot to take care of.

>>I probably am, that is to be expected, but what I like about these, is they're already frozen, and individually bagged. For me thats a lot easier than buying fresh live mice and gut-loading them myself, then freezing them, just chop off a few steps, not to mention as far as sanitization, I feel much better about these.
>>
>>It is a good thought though, my plans for the future are to breed the mice, guinea pigs, etc myself, but for now someone else can do that part for me until I get more space to work in.