Feeding Rodents to Reptile and Bird Eating Snakes

Not too long ago I had to put down an older (10+ years) dispholidus due to what ended up being liposarcomas. Her necropsy, while showing several malignancies, was understandably unable to reach a conclusion as to the cause of these growths.

Over the last few years, she had grown several lipomas - which are benign fatty tumors. The exact cause of lipomas and liposarcomas are unknown, but heredity and diet - especially excess fat is thought to be an aggravating factor.

I have five thrasops jacksonii which are very closely related to dispholidus. Three of these thrasops are all presenting with various small lipomas. These three are all over 10 years old and are exhibiting no other symptoms.

In the wild, both dispholidus and thrasops feed mainly on reptiles, amphibians and birds. In captivity, I have fed them almost exclusively a rodent diet. Because of their high activity levels and speedy metabolisms, mature adults can be fed several prey items in a single feeding and not put on additional weight.

I have switched my two younger animals to avian and lizard diets, in an effort to see if it makes a difference, but it will be many years before I will be able to determine whether this dietary change has any effect. Future clutches will also be switched to non-rodent diets.

But this all begs the question - are we putting the health of our avian and reptile eating snakes at risk by feeding them rodent-based diets? Or are these lipomas and liposarcomas something common in the dispholidines? Unfortunately there are not a lot of thrasops, dispholidus and thelatornis owners around so my ability to compare experiences is severely limited.

Having talked to my vet and other vets, they now think there may be a dietary link, or better yet a metabolic link to lipomas and liposarcomas.

There are several species of snakes that are primarily reptile, amphibian or avian consumers. I would be curious to know if any long-term owners have noticed any health issues as their pets get into their older years. Right now I'm four for four on potential diet-related fatty tumor issues and am wondering if this is indeed a diet or metabolic related issue.