Reptile & Amphibian Forums

yo...has anyone followed the thread re diet and reproduction success???......if wild indies have such a varied diet...should we duplicate it in captivity...my snakes won't be bred 'til next fall...but i read here about infertile eggs quite often...dead embryos..etc..similar to alterna problems...well???

I do not believe a lack of variety is the sole or primary cause of such, as many breeders have incurred a great deal of reproductive success using rodent only diets and I know of at least two breeders which use fowl as the primary diet, both having incurred a high degree of success as well.
I feel as though obesity and a lack of conditioning are the primary culprits surrounding infertility and problems associated with embryonic development, but much work is needed within this realm…

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I feel as though obesity and a lack of conditioning are the primary culprits surrounding infertility and problems associated with embryonic development, but much work is needed within this realm…

That should have read follicular development, as such has already occured, as has fertilization, by the point of embryonic development!

Sorry,

Jeff

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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

There are many factors that prevent success: improper cycling, poor diet, lack of proper vitamin/mineral supplements, unsanitary conditions, etc.

When breeding indigos there are certain things that you have to do to have success:
- Cycling: a cooling period is an absolute must (not hibernation, just a drop in temps to the low 60's and this is when indigos starting breeding up a storm)
- Hydration: You've got to provide fresh water at all times; these snakes drink copious amounts
- Temps: these snakes will not do well in hot temps. Max day temp should be in the mid to upper 80's but this should only be in a very small part of the cage; the ambient temps in the remainder of the cage should range from 70-75 during the day and night temps can drop to around 70-74.
- Diet: I personally feel that providing a varied diet with some vitamin/mineral supplementation helps to increase success. My diet consists mainly of rats, however, I routinely supplement with mice, bunnies, quail, and the occasional catfish/fish.

This is just what works for me but having worked with them for over 15 years I have accumulated a fair share of data to help build our knowledge of this species (but we still have a ways to go).

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>yo...has anyone followed the thread re diet and reproduction success???......if wild indies have such a varied diet...should we duplicate it in captivity...my snakes won't be bred 'til next fall...but i read here about infertile eggs quite often...dead embryos..etc..similar to alterna problems...well???
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL