Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the gecko's that live around homes? What do they eat? Can I use them to scent pinky mice for my corn snake?

Dave
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One man with faith equals the majority.
Thomas Jefferson

Sorry, I did not include my location. I live in Killeen, Texas and the gecko's are usually outside my home (they occasionally get in). They are also at the school where I teach but are much smaller (still in Killeen).

Dave
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One man with faith equals the majority.
Thomas Jefferson

Well, some sort of physical description or a picture would be helpful as I can think of several species off the top of my head in your area.

I am unsure what you mean by "scent"

1.) Follow them to wild mice - superbad idea, don't feed wild

2.) Using one you caught to put its scent on prekilled mice - superbad idea, basically feeding wild again

Contrary to popular belief feeding wild lizards to snakes is NOT harmfull. I've done it for over 30 years with difficult species like Epicrates gracilis, neonate Epicrates of other species, Tropidophis, etc. Some of these I bred to f-3 generations eating NOTHING but wc Anoles. The ONLY AND I MEAN ONLY THREAT would be if the lizards were sprayed with insecticide just prior to feeding. In nature all species for millions of years have eaten nothing but wild prey and their doing just fine. This fallacy has been told over and over again until many people believe it. If you just stop and think about it it is illogical to believe wc prey will kill herps as that is ALL wc herps have available to them.....TC

I appreciate your thoughts, and you are right. It does make sense. My corns just ignored them anyway. I am feeding mouse tails and will try feeding f/t later.

Dave
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One man with faith equals the majority.
Thomas Jefferson

"This fallacy has been told over and over again until many people believe it. If you just stop and think about it it is illogical to believe wc prey will kill herps as that is ALL wc herps have available to them.....TC"

I have to strongly disagree with you here for two main reasons:

1.) Most herpers don't have access to the native prey items of their reptile, meaning their digestive tract is not set up for local prey's body content and the possibility of any diseases or parasites present in the herper's keeping location vs the native herp environment.

2.) Secondly, the idea that the threat of chemicals comes only immediately is widely disproved. Mercury in fish, for instance? It is not the individual prey item, but a buildup in the body overtime of both the prey item and its eater. This is especially of more concern in suburban or urban areas, or near sprayed crop fields as the chemical load on the native population is so much higher.

Obviously we disagree, but calling my comments an "illogical fallacy" and using such strong language is uncalled for when I can produce similarly logical arguments for the other case. We are all here to educate and help, not yell at each other. I have stated my side and what I perceive as the risks that I certainly would not take. You have obviously had a much different experience and I wish your animals the best of health.

First, the statement was NOT directed to you specifically. Second there are many reasons why your arguments are not completely valid. Many herps who are genetically programmed to eat ectothermic prey are forced to eat endotherms because of unfounded and UNPROVEN fear of various contaniments such as parasites, etc. Once I did a controlled experiment with Tropidophis melanurus and fed one group lizards[ natural prey ] and the other group fuzzy mice. I got better growth and better looking snakes on the lizard diet. This myth about NOT feeding wc prey and especially lizards was not created by you but has been widely publicized for years. It simply is NOT VALID. Don't you think an animal that for millions of years eat ectothermic prey in situ but in captivity is coerced to eat endotherms is not a natural or a good thing to do? The proof is in the pudding for me. I've been extremely successful for over 40 years feeding in some cases very difficult species on lizards and other natural items. I had NO INTENTION OF ATTACKING OR CRITICIZING YOU IN ANY WAY. Its simply that I've actually done it and not agreed with folks that haven't even attempted it because of unrealistic fear.....TC

Let me go one step more. I responded as to my "real life experiences" over a very long time in regard to feeding wc prey but in particular lizards. This is a forum and my idea was to help not criticize or condemn other folks views. Have you ever tried this yourself and had problems of any kind? Do you know anyone who has fed wc lizards and had problems? My point is that this statement of fact in terms of harm is usually NOT based on actual events but perceived problems that are believed to arise should one actually do it. If you peruse the Greybanded King Forum there was an interesting thread the other day about kinking in hatchlings due to feeding mice and NOT lizards. It seems by supplementing vitamen-d3[ I HAVEN'T READ IT FOR A FEW DAYS] or some other supplement put on the mice reduces the kinking and other husbandry problems related to an unnatural diet in captivity. This alone is a strong argument in favor of my experiences. I'm sorry you took my response the wrong way and I apologize if you did. I assure you I only meant to be helpful......TC

Mediterranean geckos are common around homes in certain parts of TX
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