Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone fed their crocodilians roadkill? I have read that some owners of large numbers of crocs or gators get free food from animal rehabs. Are any medications that a mammal is on and still dies, lethal to crocs? Also how long does it take for calcium to lose nutritional value? I know a guy who puts turtle shells in raw meat and feeds it to his caiman. He uses shells that he finds while hiking. Sorry for so many questions, I just am looking for some new methods for my guys and was looking for some input.

Charles

I never heard of it being done but Im sure it is somewhere. I know there is a wolf park up north that feeds their animals roadkill of course though these animals are wolfs and I am not sure if they feed animals that went to rehab and died or just roadkill off the street. Why turtle shells? I know they are a good source of calcium but wouldnt it just be easier to feed whole prey and/or put a calcium supplement in a ball of meat and feed it out. take care.

Jeremy
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Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation

Reptiles

1.0 Uroplatus phantasticus
2.0 Uromastyx malienisis
0.2 Eublepharis macularis
1.0 Chrysemys picta dorsalis
0.1 Physignathus cocincinus
0.0.1 Hemidactylus turcicus
0.1 Lepidactlyus lugrubis

When he comes across turtle shells he keeps them and use them as calcium supplements, I guess because it is natural and free calcium, I dont think that they are his primary source for calcium, only when he comes across them. I just wondered at what point does the shell or any bone lose its value. Is what he is doing even worth it?

I wish I had wild boar up here, but as you know Dieter in PA its deer and more deer.

Thanks,Charles

I will be in PA tonight Charles. What part are you in?

I'll be in the Pittsburgh area, Connellsville to be specific.

If I had access to deer I would use it as well. Well I do have access but people like to eat them before the crocs can get there.

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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Delta, PA its on the PA & MD line, which puts me almost in the middle of the MARS show and the Hamburg shows.

My gators get deer sometimes, but they are not big enough to make it a whole prey item yet. Im sure your niles make quick work of anything though. lol

I think you would be suprised how picky the Niles become as they get used to being fed all the time. It can drive you a little bonkers.

>>Delta, PA its on the PA & MD line, which puts me almost in the middle of the MARS show and the Hamburg shows.
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>>My gators get deer sometimes, but they are not big enough to make it a whole prey item yet. Im sure your niles make quick work of anything though. lol
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Oh I know to well of animals being picky, last summer my males diet was 75% jumbo rats. This year he spits them out, makes it hard to get his whole prey meals now. I have a rabbit guy, but his snake customers usually wipe him out. I have thought of starting to hunt( rabbit and other small mammals) myself but just dont have the time.

Hi Charles,

Alot of croc keepers feed roadkill. This can range from deer to raccoons. Some have arrangements with ranchers to acquire dead cows or chickens. There are many different ways to get protein out there. I know of a fellow that carries a chain saw to cut up whatever he finds on his travels for his crocs. A little to 'Texas Chainsaw massacre' for me.

I have been offered food from animal rehabbers in the past. Some was meat hunters passed on as they cleaned out their freezers. I have passed on all these offerings to date. I do pay local HS students for wild hog which we have in abundance in this area. They shoot them and clean them for me.

One of the best items and most cost efficient is a diet we get from a meat supplier that we piggy back the freight charge with a local zoo. You have to order 500-2000lbs but it's worth it.

Feeding a group of crocs can get very expensive, especially when they are one of the larger species.
website

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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'