Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bogertophis
FYI, different enzymes are required to digest bones & protein versus plant material...VERY different. Snakes are not & cannot be 'vegetarians' for this reason. ;)
It's not about being "tough enough to digest bones"...they do not possess the enzymes needed to break down plant material.
I too would be concerned about mulch with splinters...perforated guts are not unheard of, but usually minor amounts of debris just "go along for the ride" OK.
I’m aware of this, just trying to make a point. I’m actually a biologist by training, freshwater ecologist to be exact. I’m currently in grad school, almost halfway done [emoji1695]I was trying to comfort the poor guy by mentioning how “tough” they are. I’m pretty confident that a snake can pass a wood chip. Although it is more concerning than if it ate coconut husk/fiber. Even if you take a wood chip and soak it in water for a bit it gets more pliable so I’m doubtful that a small one would cause permanent damage. I’m by no means a veterinarian but in my experience reptiles can be pretty resilient when it comes to things like this. I think it’s normal to worry too much with a new animal. I still think he should change the substrate though.
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Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
I've considered the different enzymes problem too, but the snakes don't perish if the prey just ate.
Rats and many birds eat grain, what if the bunny had a gut full of alfalfa?
Inquiring minds...
Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
distaff
I've considered the different enzymes problem too, but the snakes don't perish if the prey just ate.
Rats and many birds eat grain, what if the bunny had a gut full of alfalfa?
Inquiring minds...
I’m assuming they just poop it out but can’t digest/absorb the nutrients from it.
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Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
distaff
I've considered the different enzymes problem too, but the snakes don't perish if the prey just ate.
Rats and many birds eat grain, what if the bunny had a gut full of alfalfa?
Inquiring minds...
For sure the prey can be full of food (but also enzymes of their own)...I think it's really a matter of degree, & not all "organic matter" is created equal. Sticks & wood chips are not the same as pliable grass blades or lots of tiny seeds/or grain. Some things pass easier & some things make great blockages.
Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
distaff
I'm picturing the wild doves that eat the whole corn I put out for the chickens. Would a crop full of whole corn just get passed? Would it cause the snake any distress? Kinda wondering what those who feed poultry tend to find in the resulting snake poop.
Corn tends to look the same no matter who or what eats it, lol.
But seriously, kernels are fairly round & can be pushed forward pretty well, even if undigested. Twig/splinter shapes can catch easier, as when they get pushed sideways.
Great question for those who feed poultry though...why not start a thread & ask?
Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
This is one of the reasons that I use newspaper.
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Re: My BP might die.. beyond worried.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Reptilius
This is one of the reasons that I use newspaper.
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:gj: It's not very aesthetic but no snake ever had a perforated bowel from it, as they can from ingesting some kinds of substrate (sharp pieces of wood & twigs).
It's not that it happens often, as such debris often gets safely ejected when there's enough other digested food around it, but you don't want your snake to be the one,
nor can you count on being lucky forever (for all the times your snake eats during it's life). Just better to prevent this...it's not that hard to do.
