Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey~

I have a question regarding hamsters. Are they safe to feed to boas? I want to vary the diet of my boa, so yesterday I went to the pet store and picked up a hamster and a rat. I froze them b/c it won't be long before Bertha's big enough to eat them. I would like to keep supplementing her diet with stuff like chicks, hamsters and gerbils, but gerbils and hamsters are considerably more expensive than mice and rats. Are there any suppliers that sell such rodents frozen and in bulk? If so, would it be worth it to buy them? Also, just curious, how wide can a boa's jaws stretch? I didn't think that their jaws and skin were as stretchy as those of a python, but some of the pics that I've seen of boas consuming rabbits has lead me to believe otherwise. Anyone with firsthand experience want to share?

Thanks,
Mack

I have heard that hamsters can be a bit "fatty".

I am not a big person on varying diets. It sounds good. But, generally what "tends" to happen is a snake will take a liking to a certain prey item. Then, it tends to be more of a hassle and harder to find certain prey items.

I am not too big on feeding chickens as well. A lot of this is personal preference. But, I have heard that chickens tend to make boas feces smell even worse. If that is possible. With chickens you are now adding the possibility of selmonilla.

Rats of bunnies are good enough for me. I know of many pets that have been kept on a rat diet only. They do just fine.

My thing is..........If you finally get a boa switched over to f/t why would you try and hassle with anything else?

Just my thinking here.
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

Thanks for your input. As far as my snake goes, I'm not too worried about her imprinting on a certain type of prey item. Her first meal was f/t, and so far she's been eating small adult mice and one rat pink, both f/t and prekilled. If I do give her chicks and hamsters and gerbils, it will be an occasional occurrence, not all of the time. I try to feed all of my reptiles varied diets. A columbian boa may be perfectly healthy on a diet of f/t rats all life long, but I truly believe that snakes, as well as other animals enjoy having something new every once in a while.

-Mack

Hello,
I used to feed my snakes hamsters, but I wouldn't bother with them any more. They are way more expensive and way too fattening. I have noticed my snakes are healthier and more active now that I feed them just rats. If you really want to vary your snake's diet then buy rats from different suppliers. Because the rats from different suppliers will probably be eating different food this will be just as good for your snake.
Cheers =)