Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have heard from some that the fur from adult mice can cause impaction in eastern hogs. Yet I have also heard that it will not cause impaction. Any help is appreciated. I have tons of frozen mice now but do have access to rat pups in large quantities as well and this is what she is eating now. Thanks.

Have heard that as well, so as a precaution, I am sticking with primarily furless prey. When / if you do feed mice, just check the poo to make sure the hair is being expelled.
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Jenea
Guardian Reptiles

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave" Author unknown

Please ask these people for proof, and something more substantial than second-hand or anecdotal observations.

I have researched this issue before. I can't recall an instance that someone reported here that their E died from impaction of mouse fur. And positively, have I not seen one here that was diagnosed by a vet of such a condition. When I was in the zoo biz, I called around to dozens of AZA zoos with a list of E hog questions, and none of them reported impaction problems.

I challenge you put E hog poo beside any other colubrid snake poo and tell me that you can tell the difference. A HEALTHY hog shouldn't have any probs with hair. Also keep in mind that research on wild hogs have found that mammals can constitute up to 25% of their natural diet. These legends about E being dependent on toads are far overblown.
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Virginia Herping
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
Virginia Herpetological Society online store
http://www.cafepress.com/vaherpsociety

"The irrational fear of snakes is the only excuse a grown man has... to act like a complete sissy" - Colchicine

I agree,not a lot of proof, but I have noticed that my easterns pass less hair than my westerns. Not no hair, just less. For my own piece of mind, I just try to feed food items with as little hair as possible, rat pinks and pups. They get mice at times as well. Some prefer rats over mice and vice versa, so it really depends on the animal.
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Jenea
Guardian Reptiles

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave" Author unknown

>>I have noticed that my easterns pass less hair than my westerns. Not no hair, just less.

Jenea: that would imply that they are MORE efficient at digesting hair, as more of it would be broken down and would be less visible. That is, of course, with the logical assumption that the hair is not just accumulating in the GI tract and not being digested!
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Virginia Herping
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
Virginia Herpetological Society online store
http://www.cafepress.com/vaherpsociety

"The irrational fear of snakes is the only excuse a grown man has... to act like a complete sissy" - Colchicine

Thanks Kory. That eases my mind somewhat. I have a chest freezer full of appropriate mice and will see how it goes!!