Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Baby mussurana feeding pics. Enjoy

Doug T
Doug Taylor Reptiles

Doug,
You aren't kidding when you say that they munch on f/t rodents: that's one pretty happy baby snake in the pics! Are those large pink mice being consumed? On your site you discuss how these guys eat smaller rodent food items, being snake eaters in the wild. How many pinks and how often do they eat? I assume that they have a fast metabolism? How soon will they reach a size to move up to the next rodent size?

You have photos on your site of adults being handled bare-handed. The photos lead one to believe that a bite would not be medically significant? Just curious.

I must admit that I'm beginning to understand your passion for this species--even in the photos there's "just something about them". I can only imagine how awesome they must be up close and personal! Thanks so much for posting the pics--best looking baby snakes I've seen in awhile!
rgds,
althea

I didn't take that picture so I'm not sure of the size. It was taken by a customer. I assume it was a small pink.

It seemed to me that once they were eating 5-6 pinks at a time, I'd move them up. They are pretty food intensive and yes they do have a fast metabolism. Babies will eat every 3 days except during sheds. Adults don't need to be fed that often and go off feed in winter, but still need more feedings than a typical captive snake. The effect is lots of positive interaction.

Handling: I only handle my mussuranas during the day, when they are less likely to mistake someone for food. I also NEVER handle them if I have rodent or snake smell on me. My experience is that they don't bite out of defense, so the feeding response is what one has to be most concerned about.

I've talked to a few folks who have been bitten and it was insignificant. That being said, an individual may have a sensitivity to the venom and so there's always potential for something bad to happen.

Glad you liked the pics. Feel free to drop a line anytime to chat mu's or any other critters.

Doug T

>>Doug,
>> You aren't kidding when you say that they munch on f/t rodents: that's one pretty happy baby snake in the pics! Are those large pink mice being consumed? On your site you discuss how these guys eat smaller rodent food items, being snake eaters in the wild. How many pinks and how often do they eat? I assume that they have a fast metabolism? How soon will they reach a size to move up to the next rodent size?
>>
>>You have photos on your site of adults being handled bare-handed. The photos lead one to believe that a bite would not be medically significant? Just curious.
>>
>>I must admit that I'm beginning to understand your passion for this species--even in the photos there's "just something about them". I can only imagine how awesome they must be up close and personal! Thanks so much for posting the pics--best looking baby snakes I've seen in awhile!
>>rgds,
>>althea

Doug Taylor Reptiles

Those red bellies are amazing! Too bad it fades. Love the pics!
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

They are very nice Doug. I most appreciate and admire your focus on the less-common and perhaps finer specie across the board. It must make success in husbandry and captive reproduction that much more satisfying. Thanks for the posts.
Bill

Man you're really packing that sucker with food.

I'm surprised they're on mice that fast. I would've thought that they'd go through the snake phase. Apparently they are just demon snakes from hell sent to eat you out of house and home.

Good luck with them. Interesting snakes for sure.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
Updated 6/27
www.captivebredforum.com

Some of them just went straight to unscented mice for the very first meal. That's for sure a trait that we like to see with snake eaters. They're all out into their new homes already and as much as I've heard, they're eating machines.

Doug T

>>Man you're really packing that sucker with food.
>>
>>I'm surprised they're on mice that fast. I would've thought that they'd go through the snake phase. Apparently they are just demon snakes from hell sent to eat you out of house and home.
>>
>>Good luck with them. Interesting snakes for sure.
>>-----
>>Mike
>>KingPin Reptiles Inc.
>>www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
>>Updated 6/27
>>www.captivebredforum.com