Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am rehabing an injured eastern that came off of a piece of property that I am trying to reestablish as a natural area. She is doing well, but in the meantime, layed a clutch. I wish to hatch the clutch and release most of the babies and the mother, and possibly retain a pair or two for future breeding stock.
I know the feeding issue is contraversial, but would like lots of opinions. The female is thin. She readily eats toads and small bullfrogs. Would I hurt her by feeding her an occasional scented mouse? would I hurt her if I didn't over feed her and feed her more than 50% mice, or mostly mice? Can I feed the babies toad tadpoles or chorus frog tadpoles safely, possibly in addition to baby toads. What about scented pinks for the babies that I am keeping? Any opinions valued. Thanks

If you want to release the animals back into the wild, I would feed them 'natural' prey items (frogs, toads, etc...). How is the snake injured? Reptiles are surprisingly tough and often heal faster in the wild. If you prefer to rehab the animal, I recommend seeing a vet and getting the prescribed medication(s).

Good luck,
Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Also, keep any animals to be released into the wild quarantined from your personal animal collection to avoid the spread of possible pathogens (to and from the specimens to be released).

Cheers,
Chris
-----
Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Good advise. She was hit by a car. Probably because of the contour and the fact that she was on a gravel road, she escaped with amazingly few serious injuries, at least outwardly (lacerations but no fractures).She is eating (actually ate 3 days before laying-I didn't). And amazingly, she layed a clutch of eggs and 14 are viable at this point. they have very thin shells compared to what I am used to. And I am a veterinarian and my collection is very limited and I am being careful not to contaminate her in any way. but very good and important advice for sure. Also amazing is that the whole area for at least 40 acres in circumference was under 4 feet of water last year in a flood. Its amazing how fast stuff moves back in. The area where she was is also hard to picture as anything nearly suitable for egglaying this year-its swampy and full of crayfish holes. But there are a decent number of amphibians-especially for around here. I'm still interested in the opinions on feeding mice to the few babies that I might retain, or feeding adults mice as many westerm hognose folks seem to do. thanks again

Sorry, I didn't finish one of my sentences. I meant to continue that I didn't know you weren't supposed to feed gravid hognoses(based on what I have now read). But she looked to be in such poor condition that I thought it good to try to give her some strength to heal, and for her potential offspring.