Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am new to keeping Crots and I was wondering do you guys feed your animals live or PK? I keep colubrids and boids and have been feeding PK since I can remember.

The three times I have fed my Speck he has eaten stunned animals but injected them with venom all three times. I think if I left them dead in his cage he would eat them but I don't want him to have any digestive problems down the road.

Has there been any scientific studies regarding whether or not venom plays a necessary role in digestion? Shhould I continue to feed stunned prey and keep it as natural as possible?

I would appreciate all of your thoughts.

Thanks-

Brett

Hi:

Don't worry about if they inject or not, just be happy they are feeding. Some specs won't eat the rodent till it get really stinky from decay. If it's eating PK, great but nicer if they will eat FT. I warm mine up to give off a nice IR signature and work it like it was alive at the end of long forceps. They strike as if it was alive and eat it shortly there after.

Al
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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

Thank you I appreciate it.

Hi Brett, this is Brett too, glad to see you spell it correctly! The few I have seen with the same tag only use one "T" I wouldnt worry about your speck, Ive been feeding f/t to crotes for 20 years and have never had a problem, not one.
You are more likely to have a problem if that rodent snaps out of his stunned condition long enough to take a bite out of the snake. Stick to Prekilled,its safer for all involved and saves the rodent from a rather painful experience.
Cheers
B

Thanks Brett.....My Momma wanted me not to grow up lazy so she thought she'd add another T. Thank goodness.....If my Poppa had his way my name would have been Elvis....really not all that bad come to think of it.

Thanks for the advice. Nice to know the length of time you have been feeding F/T. BTW....Nice site you have. Expecting any Beaded Babies?

Thanks Brett, its a very basic website but one day I will throw alittle $ at it and get it up to speed.
LOL, ever see the movie "3000 miles to Graceland"?
You cant go wrong with f/t, it is much easier on all involved. No beadeds this year, I thought perhaps I might see some activity but they are not old enough yet. Thats not a problem though, one day they will be!
Cheers
Brett

Those are great questions. I have found "specks" to be the dr. jekyll and mr. hydge of the rattler world. Some take to captivity readily and begin feeding on f/t prey right away. Others will nearly starve themselves before resigning themselves to their fate (which, for a rattlesnake, is not such a bad life as you get fed regularly, can always warm up or cool down as desired and don't have to worry about predation).

When I feed my rattlesnake collection, I always go with frozen/thawed prey. I feed via forceps and try to induce a feeding strike on the prey item and then just leave it nearby where it was bitten (we will also leave a scent trail so that the rattler has to display natural behaviors to find its "victim". Even our most stubborn specks will eventually take frozen thawed prey. One of our's fasted for 6 months before giving in; man was that a stubborn snake!

Hope this helps.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>I am new to keeping Crots and I was wondering do you guys feed your animals live or PK? I keep colubrids and boids and have been feeding PK since I can remember.
>>
>>The three times I have fed my Speck he has eaten stunned animals but injected them with venom all three times. I think if I left them dead in his cage he would eat them but I don't want him to have any digestive problems down the road.
>>
>>Has there been any scientific studies regarding whether or not venom plays a necessary role in digestion? Shhould I continue to feed stunned prey and keep it as natural as possible?
>>
>>I would appreciate all of your thoughts.
>>
>>Thanks-
>>
>>Brett
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Thanks for your response. I got a brochure from Bean Farm on IHS and I saw your name on there. Looks to be a good time. I was thinking of postponing my wedding but I don't think my Fiance would appreciate it. She puts up with enough!! Maybe next year.

Thanks again-

Brett Thacker