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 burms. 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

Only objection I have is, wild rabbits are known to carry a worm that causes trycanosis (sp). Only reason I know this is because I hunt rabbits and was warned years ago about eating them when taken in warm weather. This is when they are most likely to harbor the worm. Frankly, the only thing I remember about them is they somehow get in you muscle tissue and cause problems. I apologise, but it was long ago, and I didn't bother doin' a "google" before responding. Would certainly be worth checking into. Wouldn't think one would want to subject their charge to something like this. Also, you can tell an infected rabbit by the presence of yellow spots on the lungs. Hope this helps.

Quig

When I was younger I had a neighbor who fed his burms and a retic almost exclusively wild rabbits as well as the occasional raccoon. Those snakes were huge and didn't seem to suffer any ill effects.

Thanks for sharing your experiences I'll keep that in mind when it comes feeding time.

Having hunted and shot more than my share of wild cottontails, has anyone ever seen the vermin that comes off them after they're dead?
Ticks, mites, fleas...not something I'd want to toss in with my burm.
Ginebig...the spots you describe are on the rabbits liver...the disease is Tuleremia.

Burmaboy, you are right on both counts and I apologise for my mistake. CRS (can't remember sh*t) . Shoulda checked before flappin' my jaws.

Quig

Quig...no problem.
I remembered the yellow spots on the liver...but for the life of me could'nt remember the disease name.
I no longer hunt 'em...I buy 'em cleaned from the butcher.
And I aint sharing with my burm!

ROTFLMAO!!!