Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've started feeding my 03yt chicken hearts dusted with vitamins which she seems to like. Is it allright to do this as long as I keep feeding her mice or rats. She is really growing(36"and has not shown any aggressive/defensive behavior yet. Thanks for any replys. Steve

Steve,

I have also fed chicken hearts in the past with no adverse affects to the snake, as long as it is not the PRIMARY staple of the diet. In the wild Eastern Indigos eat a WIDE VARIETY of food items, and I truly believe that this may be the key to unlocking the problems with fertility etc. Often we feed this handsome sepent ONE THING, certainly I have been guilty of this. Despite the facts that the diffrent amino acid combination in diffrent food items MIGHT play a role in the dilemas we face. Just my opinion and thoughts, these words are no where written in stone. Hope this helped you.

*Cheers*

Fred Albury

I think what Fred has articulated so well is true for ALL animals - including us. You are what you eat; it's as simple as that.....

Fred is right one here. My indigos have had perfect fertility rates over the past four years. And even though good husbandry has a lot to do with it, a major factor, in my opinion, is proper diet. My indigos get a varied diet of different sized mice, small rats, 1-week old quail, and even baby bunnies. My indigos absolutely LOVE feeding time because they never know what is coming; their feeding response is sensational. Each prey item has certain nutrients that may be missing in others so this varied diet, along with regular vitamin/mineral supplementation are critical components to successful husbandry of this species.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)