ASF's nothing like advertised

So after having my ASF's for a few weeks I felt like posting some thoughts on them as there seems to be some contradictory information out there. I had heard nothing but evil things about these little guys and it wasn't from just a few sources. It seemed like everywhere I read they were the spawn of the devil and they would chew everything and anything and be out for blood. Well I must of been lucky enough to get breeding groups that were on some serious happy pills. I can pick up any of them and pet them. To anyone out there thinking about getting a breeding group go right ahead. I'm sure there are nippy groups but just find a good breeder to buy from. They are very meticulous little rodents and have far less of an odor then mice and I'd say just about equal to or slightly better than norway's. I wish I had picked these little guys up sooner.

As for feeding them off to my snakes I was shocked at how timid they were in the tub with the snakes. It's like they went into frozen still mode and just seemed to accept their fate. I had 3 of my stubborn mousers switch right over to ASF's thankfully and hopefully that keeps up.

Mine aren't biters either but they do a pretty darn good impersonation of popcorn. I can't hold them except by the tail or they'll use my hand as a launch pad and when I feed live they bounce around the tub like a pinball.

Something I've said for quite a while now...maybe we're just lucky. I've been breeding them for close to a year now and litter after litter they grow into completely handleable animals. A little skittish, sometimes jumpy, a bit nervous, sure...but I've been bitten many times(zero) less by ASF's if the past year than I have mice, and a couple times less than rats.

Have any of yours had babies yet ?

Most of my experience with them in my own colony teaches me they are rather docile if timid. Until they have babies. At which point the majority of the females become related to piranhas.

Not every one does it. And they don't always draw blood. One of my big girls got me last night for messing with her babies. She bit me, do not mistake that, but it was a warning bite. She didn't even leave a red spot. She just wanted me to leave her babies alone.

However, I have females who will happily amputate a finger in defense of their offspring if I let them.

Gale

Funniest thing was when I got my first group from Ed (Freakie Frog). He was in the middle of saying "I don't know why these guys have such a bad rap,...... OWWWW! He just bit me!"

I about had an accident from laughing so hard. First time one bit him was when he was picking one up to demonstrate how docile his line was.

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Popcorn is exactly what I call our just weaned babies! No other way to describe. They are crazy little poppers. We have one or two females that will take treats from your hands. However, I find the worst to be the Dad when there are babies in the house. He sits on top of it, and you don't dare go near or he will draw blood. As far as smell goes, way better than rats or mice. They have a "potty" corner and you can spot clean much easier to reduce smell.

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My first colony had their litter and the mamas are fine with me going in and touching babies.

Mama will nibble on my finger but not hard at all

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Popcorn is exactly what I call our just weaned babies! No other way to describe. They are crazy little poppers. We have one or two females that will take treats from your hands. However, I find the worst to be the Dad when there are babies in the house. He sits on top of it, and you don't dare go near or he will draw blood. As far as smell goes, way better than rats or mice. They have a "potty" corner and you can spot clean much easier to reduce smell.

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I always keep the cat in the room when feeding ASF hoppers. They'll pop right out of the tub and I just have to go "Get it Lexi, get it Lexi, get it Lexi" and she'll catch it for me. I'd be toast without her!

That's awesome Robin, does she hurt them? Or just return them to mamma?

Gale

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I always keep the cat in the room when feeding ASF hoppers. They'll pop right out of the tub and I just have to go "Get it Lexi, get it Lexi, get it Lexi" and she'll catch it for me. I'd be toast without her!

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That's a great idea! We have torn a whole room apart looking for one that "popped" out.

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