Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading on another forum and found that there are several people giving milk to their monitors. So i was wondering if anyone knew of any benefit of doing this. For some reason it just doesn't seem natural to me. The only reason im mentioning the subject is because some of the herpers who claim to do this are so called "experts" so was hoping they could shed some light on the subject starting with Why? What?(if any benefit)Who?(did the study to confirm)Where?(is the evidence that this is beneficial vs. harmful)How?(long have you been doing this and what are your findings)
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

Did you ask them those questions, and if so, what was their responce?

If a keeper needed to add something odd like milk to maintain their their monitors health, you have to wonder what were they neglecting for milk to be needed?

There are grounds for the use of milk, I mean, why do you think they call milksnakes, milksnakes? I encountered this in Mexico, many locals said for sure, that Variable kingsnakes, suckled the tits of their cows. If that wasn't for milk, why would they do that?

I am sure, the people who recomended feeding milk, was it feeding the monitors milk or was it for bathing? showed a history if good success with their monitors.

Also, what kind of milk, cows? horse? human? 2%? enriched? why not cheese? I know, mouse milk, you know, the stuff in the guts of pinkies and fuzzies. You can cut them open and take that stuff out and make big balls of it. Hmmmmmmmmmmm do they throw the rest of the fuzzies and pinkies away? Hey, send that stuff to me, I will make fuzzie balls out of it, oh and pinky balls, hmmmmmm fuzzie and pinky balls, I bet that will work. So if they take the milk out of lactating female mice, could you make hairy balls out of whats left?

You know I breed and sell mice, I could add that to my pricelists, you know, get your pinkie, fuzzie, hairy balls at, my place. I would like to thank all concerned, for the chance to be funny. If you do not think that is funny, then surely your not the last comic standing. FR

I never asked the question as to why since Jody asked an got no response which is why i brought it here to a different medium figuring someone might be able to shed light on the situation. But here are a couple posts that got my attention:

you can offer milk to your monitor, it is calcium fortified, and has not shown any ill effects. i had offered my waters milk, some drank it readily, others bit at it not understanding it was liquid. if you are feeding your savannah correctly, no need to power feed it. monitors eat daily as juviniles, and even my adults are fed almost as frequent. if the temps and enclosure are useable ( it basks, burrows etc) , and the sav is taking the food, should be growing on it ( maybe start measuring weekly). other ways to offer milk is in an egg omlette, an egg with equal amount of milk cooked with it. i think we discussed american cheese a few times here, any one remember that? well, forget the cheese for now, stick to foods it readily accepts (i take it mice, crix?). -john

I too have given my monitors milk. The Albigs and Exanths both loved it. They still get milk every once in a great while. I haven't tried to give milk to the rest of the monitors yet. Oh yeah my Argus loved milk also. I never noticed any ill effects from them drinking it. Gator have been getting milk for five years. Best of luck. Christine
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

Oh man, you can combine the two cool fad diets, milk and turkey. Wait, that sounds terrible, better a turkey ball omelete.

OK Ok, this is a true story. I went to a well known zoo(top ten)(seven miles down the road, where I worked many years ago) I was in the herp room when a keeper walked by with a silver platter, on the plater was the nicist looking meal, it looked very similar to something from a cruise ship or five star rest. I had to take a second, third, and fourth look. Then in my amazement, I had to ask, WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? The answer was really really funny. It was skinned mice, with their teeth, tails and claws removed, all lined up in rows, with some sort of red, white and yellow toppings sprinkled all over them. Looked yummy. The toppings I was informed were different vitamins and minerals. With my eyes bugging, all the way out of my head, I asked the most important question, WHY? and FOR WHAT? The answer was, its for our gilas, because we all know they cannot digest fur, teeth, and claws. I said, WHATCA MEAN WE? you fellas are strait up idiots. get a job, get a real job, do something else, back away from living animals, etc, etc, etc.

All I can say is, humans do the oddest things, you gotta watch out for them. FR

There is not a thing in the monitor world wrong with it. Whethers its helpful or not.

In this case, monitorman, you should have explained the context, If people were trying it out of curiousity, then that is one thing. But if they are saying this and that about it, then thats another thing altogether.

The second would only need confirmation. Then theres nothing wrong with that either.

My Vet told me all monitors love fish. Including ackies and such, guess what, he was right. He also recomended not giving them fish on a consistant basis.

I have a friend who feeds his hognose snakes tuna, they love it he says.

I read a paper where this fella fed his kimberly strawberrys. And another paper where another fella fed his Greentree monitor, tomatos. Or was that visa versa? don't matter.

Once I recieved a shipment of Monkeytailed skinks. I opened the box on the coffee table in my front room. The kids have been eating grapes and peanut butter sandwiches. Well, I opened the box and out walked the skinks and they ate the grapes and the peanut butter sandwiches. My son was tiny then, he said, I want those. We bred them for 14 years.

Its all about context. FR

I totally agree with you but remember in his post he never mention trying out anything. I can only take the info on the screen and inquire further which i did. Now i understand what he MEANT or how he SHOULD of detailed the post . As for what was said, he told me he was rushing to type his post and didnt mean for it to come out as it did. I do understand now what was going on. I was abit confused and on top of it had never heard of anyone giving milk to monitors, thus my inquiry. It was a misunderstanding on my part. I posted here for him or someone else who does this to enlighten me as to why. I have since been enlightened.

Cheers
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

In fact, the practice or art, if you will, of keeping monitors is constantly being held back by huge misconceptions.

For instance, Mr. Science, thinks we should all keep monitors, like he(it doesn't matter who the he is) thinks they should be kept. Or to reflect what he thinks monitors are in nature. The truth is, mr. science is out of his element. His beliefs or rules, whether its about nature or not, are not really rules, they are just his thoughts.

Some think monitors should be kept naturallistic, yet their idea of that does not reflect where or how a monitor lives, but instead, includes a waterfall and a bunch of silk plants. Which by the way, only fool people. They somehow talk themselves into thinking that is natural. Hmmmmmmmm silk plants?? Some think a UV reptile bulb is the sun. OR the lite bulb going on and off is the same as the sun going up and down.

The point is, the only rule is, the success of your monitors. The success is what you hope for or expect out of them. To that end, its wide open. You should not be afraid to try something, just make sure its not lethal. Surely milk and cheese is not lethal. FR

>>In fact, the practice or art, if you will, of keeping monitors is constantly being held back by huge misconceptions.
>>
>> For instance, Mr. Science, thinks we should all keep monitors, like he(it doesn't matter who the he is) thinks they should be kept. Or to reflect what he thinks monitors are in nature. The truth is, mr. science is out of his element. His beliefs or rules, whether its about nature or not, are not really rules, they are just his thoughts.
>>
>> Some think monitors should be kept naturallistic, yet their idea of that does not reflect where or how a monitor lives, but instead, includes a waterfall and a bunch of silk plants. Which by the way, only fool people. They somehow talk themselves into thinking that is natural. Hmmmmmmmm silk plants?? Some think a UV reptile bulb is the sun. OR the lite bulb going on and off is the same as the sun going up and down.
>>
>> The point is, the only rule is, the success of your monitors. The success is what you hope for or expect out of them. To that end, its wide open. You should not be afraid to try something, just make sure its not lethal. Surely milk and cheese is not lethal. FR
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

I have no reason to do such a thing. Heck, when I had cats, I never gave them milk either.

I have fed them all sorts of animals, and I times it was real funny.

I was out collecting leaves one day, and notice a large rattlesnake about 50 feet off the road. So I went to look at it and it was dead, I mean, just dead, no injuries, nothing. So I took it home and cut it up. I noticed, in was totally clean, no parasites, no nothing it its stomach. So I chopped it up, Oh yea, it was about 5 1/2 feet long. And offered it to different monitors. Many ate it with no problem, but one. George my oldest male lacie. I tossed him a chunk and he wolfed it down, like usual, then all of a sudden, he got this look about him. So I offered another chuck, he quickly turned his head, like that tasted awful. He wanted no part of that.

Again, I have no need or want to try milk. Why? got milk? FR

WOW talk about taking things out of context, what’s a matter Frank you can’t make the difference between a liquid that’s rich in minerals and peanut butter jelly sandwiches?
My original post 2 years ago was about offering milk to cycling females, if you don’t understand the benefits of more minerals and less proteins, to bad.
I guess you prefer adding powder minerals right? Reptivit, minerall, and others more natural substitute, perhaps I should try these myself with my monitors, I really didn’t know that these powders where a natural source for free ranging monitors, should I have taken that trip to oz with you, then perhaps I would know this by now.
Guess even I can learn from you
Rgds

what your talking about, because I don't. Really I don't want to know either.

You know if you want to give your monitors milk, please do. Thanks FR

you don't think it would help if I took my critters to the local dairy farm. It could be a feild trip, we could stop at McDonalds and share a happy meal afterwards.lmao

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

That sounds like fun, but you ough to ask Jobe or John, about it, as I have no experience with milk. I just think that if he or any other expert thinks its good, and use it, and see no adverse effects, then they should use it.

You will need to ask them about it, as I have said, I do not use milk. Good luck FR

No I don’t know what aim talking about! not entierly.
But aim trying to understand more then I already know. And it would surly help if others would say something intelligent rather then common sarcasm.

I agree with you. But sir, your the expert, I do not have any experience with milk, in fact, I have allergic reaction to milk. So you need to teach us and show us what the benefits of milk are.
I do not intend to use milk, because of my allergies. So, you should be the teacher, after all, we all want to learn don't we? FR

I and my kids are also allergic to milk, however this didn’t stop me from reading the analysis on the label, read it next time your at the grocery store, then you will know as much as I do.
Be sure that when I know the benefits of milk then I will talk about it; meanwhile I stick to what IV said about it, a good source of calcium and vitamins in higher dosage then any reptile vitamins on the market.

Milk 2%
vitaminA
vitaminD
calcium
glucides/carbihydrate
proteine

I am so glad you like it and you think its good. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Now if your intend is to pester me, Please quit, I have no need to argue with you about milk or any other thing. So, if its my permission your looking for, then you have it, please use milk. I may someday find a need for it, but as of now, I do not see one.

Oh and please stop the hateful e-mails, I do not appreiate them. Never mind, My son just showed me how to block them. Cheers FR

I hope you are jokeing, did I really send you a hate email?
its possible I dont remember, if so my appologies.

was it affter I offered you the lace?
pleas send me the offending email
jobi64@hotmail.com

monitor man,
ok
Why? i tried many things with my water monitors, milk is one of them. some keepers feel its beneficial to females rather than males.

What? whole milk is what i tried. warmed up and served in a bowl. most of my waters sunk their snouts into it, and tried biting it. only 1 drank it readily.

Who? a few of us as you can see.

Where? there is no evidence of harm or foul. i didnt stick to the milk regimen long enough to see anything.

How? i tried it a couple times last year. i mainly offer rodents, but if i run out of mice, i will not hesitate to make a quick omlette of eggs with milk for them. oh, and they just love cheddar cheese.

-john

thanks John,

I was just curious. It still seems a bit unnatural to me but if it works for you,cool.

But in all honesty, do you believe that reccomending this diet to a newbie or anyone for that matter is the right thing to do being as though you dont know if there maybe be some ill effects down the road? Since you said that you tried it briefly.

I would think that a long term keeper like yourself would a tad more responsible than that.

There may not be any reports of of it being harmful but there also are'nt any stating otherwise.

Don't take this as an attack or anything of the sort, what you do with your animals is your business but when you encourage another to do the same, i don't believe that it is helpful when its not a proven technic of husbandry. My .02

Just something to consider or not.
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

monitorman,

the thread was started by "needle" asking if milk was ok. i gave my view on it. id like to know where he got the notion of giving milk in the diet and ask his question on my site. i emailed him soon after, but i got no reply. i told him that it has extra calcium, and minerals. my last sentence to him was to stick to foods his sav readily accepts. what i do in terms of feeding my waters may sound risky to some people. its his/her decision to take the next step and offer milk, or anything else for that matter. -john

thanks John,

I was just curious. It still seems a bit unnatural to me but if it works for you,cool.

But in all honesty, do you believe that reccomending this diet to a newbie or anyone for that matter is the right thing to do being as though you dont know if there maybe be some ill effects down the road? Since you said that you tried it briefly.

I would think that a long term keeper like yourself would a tad more responsible than that.

There may not be any reports of of it being harmful but there also are'nt any stating otherwise.

Don't take this as an attack or anything of the sort, what you do with your animals is your business but when you encourage another to do the same, i don't believe that it is helpful when its not a proven technic of husbandry. My .02

Just something to consider or not.

John,

Good point, i do remember you saying that at the end. His post seemed to me like it was something he was already considering doing and just needed confirmation from some authority. When you posted that you had done this(in my oppinion) it gave him the ok and when someone else say they had... boy i could just picture him heating a bowl a milk. The only thing i would have done differently is stated , that i tried it but i dont reccomend it and so on, and so on. See the problem with communicating with words on a screen is you have to be careful cause you never know how simple the person you are trying to help is. Therefore i feel its always best to give as detailed of a point is possible so there is no confusion. But just so you know i respect you and your site and find you as an asset to the herp community.

You have a good one.
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

hey thanks!
ya know, i tend to rush thru my answers on the forums. this guy could have made a milky mess in his kitchen. oh and jody was right on about pinkys having the milk in the gut. now to get my hands on a few hundred lactating adult female mice and rats. -all the best, -john

You should consider breeding them, i find it alot more cost effective to do and it doesnt take very long(6 weeks or less)from the time you start then once they start having litters then its every 3 weeks like clock work. I get about 10 litters out of my females before i have to cull and replace em.
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James Grigsby - " When you try of all your forces to make your own way, you will help some of others and will be helped by others. As long as you do not make your own way, you cannot help anybody, and nobody can help you. " (Shunryu Suzuki)

Yeah I give my argus soymilk all the time.... oh wait... no I don't. Because I'm not an idiot.