Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A lot of people have asked me why I don't just go out and get some wild rabbits to feed my snakes. I always listed several reasons, disease, etc. But now that I think about it, would it really pose such a problem. It'd be cheaper than shipping frozen ones and less hassle than raising them. I live in SW Wyoming where rabbits are abundant in the wild. Any objections?

Terry

First of all, there are the legal issues regarding collection of rabbits. How would you do it? Where? What are the WY regs about rabbit harvesting? Which species would you harvest? Are any species protected and can you ID them correctly?

I would also contact state wildlife officials and health offices about possible diseases that rabbits in your area can carry (tuleremia?). I would be concerned about both your animals and yourself.

Just some thoughts.
I used to feed roadkill squirrels to my snakes back when I had snakes large enough to eat them. I have no ethical problems with the idea. Of course, there will also be the parasite load issue.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

if you freeze them than the parasites should die... right?
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jake

my addiction:
0.0.2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1.0 amelenistic corn snake (zyklon)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)
hybrid breeders association
hybrid haven

Not all parasites are necessarily killed by freezing. Some life stages can survive for a long time in unpleasant environments, and come out of dormancy whenever the conditions are right. Thorough cooking even of foods that have been frozen is the recommendation to get rid of parasites in human foods, but that doesn't really apply here. So... probably safest to stick with captive bred animals just to be sure.

I happen to run over nearly one rabbit a week from them just running across the road at dusk. If your animals didn't suffer any ill effects from feeding roadkill squirrels I can't imagine that rabbits would be much difference. Thanks for your input.