Dusted rats?

Firstly, I'm not new to keeping ball pythons, but I am still pretty new to this forum lol. Anyways this is just a question I have and the theory actually sounds realistic, not that I'm going to do it though! Some breeders dust calcium on their rodents once a month or once in a while before feeding their snakes. Now before everyone goes crazy, yes I know just a rodent alone is perfect for a snake , I agree, and supplements can do more harm than good. Again not saying I am going to go this!!!! Anyways, could this method be used for sickly babies, once a month or every other month? or females during breeding season because after all egg shells are made from calcium right? I know we technically do not know everything about ball pythons, though we breed them for years, still doesn't mean we know everything. What do you guys think about the subject, interesting right?

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Originally Posted by freedom21

Some breeders dust calcium on their rodents once a month or once in a while before feeding their snakes.

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I think whoever told you this was making stuff up.

Snakes are not remotely like lizards. Captive lizards need dietary supplements because its impossible to recreate a diverse enough diet in captivity. Snakes do not have this problem. Rats and mice have more then enough calcium.

Please dont try this ever



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Some breeders dust calcium on their rodents once a month or once in a while before feeding their snakes.

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Who are those breeders? (inquiring mind has to know)

There is not need to dust anything those are not lizards eating veggies, fruits or insects and requiring calcium supplement, those are snakes eating rats and bones are a source of calcium. :gj:

Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Rat Bones....

Rumor is, Dem Bones made out of calcium ;)

Thats funny....nicely done.

Haha just checking guys! Not exactly sure who, some breeder from Repticon was talking to another breeder about it. I thought it was strange myself but it kinda made sense if it was a sick baby or breeding female. I'm def not ever going to do that to my BP's! I agree with you guys!

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Originally Posted by Slim

Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Rat Bones....

Rumor is, Dem Bones made out of calcium ;)

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Ha ha ha I actually just spat my lager all over when I read that!!! :rofl:

I wouldn't think calcium would be what a sick baby needed... I'd think they would need more fats and protein, same with breeding females.

Eating too much calcium has been shown to cause heart problems.

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Originally Posted by Kat_Dog

I wouldn't think calcium would be what a sick baby needed... I'd think they would need more fats and protein, same with breeding females.

Eating too much calcium has been shown to cause heart problems.

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That makes way more sense lol

The "breeder" I got my pewter from said she gave calcium to gravid females, but she used a syringe and put it in the dead rat's mouth. I thought it was odd, and had never heard it before. Since then I have found out that she isn't exactly reputable and has sold sick animals (I got lucky I guess). I know at least in humans that calcium inhibits the absorption of iron, so I wouldn't mess with the natural balance that is a whole prey item.

I used to do it for females when I bred colubrids that would double and triple clutch after they laid their first clutches of the year. I have a woma female that laid a clutch of eggs last year with windows (which anyone that deals with them knows woma eggs that way might as well be scrambled or fried because they aren't going to go full term and hatch) and for her leading up to this season I've been giving her a supplement to see if that would help. It appears she's taking this year off and I'm actually kind of glad that she is. Normally though, with once a season breeders like bp's are, no I don't and wouldn't bother with it.

I wouldn't. Different nutrients have different relationships with other nutrients. Calcium has an antagonistic relationship with iron and phosphorus (maybe some others I can't think of right now). Too much calcium inhibits the absorption and utilization of those nutrients. Then lower levels of those nutrients will affect other nutrients, and so on, you have a domino effect. Not good to stay messing around with supplements unless you know what you're doing (or under guidance of someone who knows).