Reptile & Amphibian Forums

will a pueblan milksnake eat a baby leopard gecko?

Wild L. triangulum from the Zapotitlan Basin in south-central Mexico (what we call campbelli) are likely to feed on a variety of mammals (including Peromyscus, Dipodomys, Zapus, Onychomys, etc.) and reptiles (Sceloporus, Phyllodactylus, Coleonyx, etc.). Coleonyx geckos are Eublepharines, just like Leopard Geckos, and likely have a similar scent profile. On top of all of this, geckos, in general, produce a fantastic feeding response in most milks. Given this, I'd suspect a Leopard Gecko would elicit a strong feeding response in a Pueblan Milk.

-Cole

are there any risks or reasons why i shouldn't?

If you know the origin of the gecko and can ascertain that the animal is Cryptosporidium-free, it should make a fine meal. That said, Cryptosporidium is rampant in some Leopard Gecko colonies (and Bearded Dragons, etc.). It's typically fatal in snakes, so there is inherent risk involved unless you bred the animals yourself. Also, be aware that offering a lizard to a triangulum which is willing to take f/t mice can cause the snake to develop a preference for lizards and refuse to feed on mice. Just things to consider.

-Cole

Hmm. When crypto was destroying my collection a couple years back I had a pet leopard gecko in my snake room that whole time. I wonder if that could've been the cause?
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles
www.kingpinreptiles.com

ok. thanks. i have friends who have a pair of leos that are breeding constantly. they've been throwing the eggs out. and i thought, maybe i could use them for my l.t.c, but just wasn't sure of the risks.

how do i tell if they have crypto?

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