Don's prey items

Hey Rusty. I plan on breeding my Ratsnakes, Boa Constrictor, Anoles (for feeders for my ratsnakes), and Leopard Geckos (I am getting a new baby tomorrow.) Maybe my Ball Python as well since he is 4yrs old

I am not positive on how old he is but I would have to guess like 6 months maybe? I got him as a WC from a friend....so I have no idea. But thanks I love him

Why are you going to feed your ratsnakes anoles?? Its quite obvious it will eat rodents, even if they are of inappropriate size.

[CTReptileRescue]

I was also pondering that David

Because if I have them why not use them? I am not going to make any profit off of my Anoles. But I would only feed anoles to the snakes that I will keep. I will feed the ones available with pinkies Dont worry

I still see no reason to feed your snake anoles......its a ratsnake not a Vine Snake. Jeez.

Ok thanks

[Marla]

What difference does it make if they're not for sale to others who would need to keep up the prey item? If he has them and they are a natural prey item, it makes sense to me to feed them. it's not like anoles deserve to live more than rats, mice, gerbils, or rabbits do.

It makes a big difference. Anoles are nowhere near as nutritional as rodents. Snakes such as Black Rats & Corns who are native to both places that do and don't have endemic populations of reptilian prey such as anoles are very different in phenotypes. For instance....Florida Corns feed primarily on anoles, tree frogs and other small prey items. Kentucky locales feed primarily on a rodent diet. KY corns attain larger adult size in the wild and are of a much thicker build. This of course is because of diet.

In captivity, Black Rats adjust perfectly to a diet of strictly rodents. There is no good reason to feed anything else if the snake willingly takes rodents. It would be like living off of Doritos and White Castle burgers when you could be living off of Steak, Veggies, and other parts of a balanced diet. You see my point?

[Wizill]

would you feed your dog cats?


though small lizards may be a natural prey item for ratsnakes, i think feeding one that will willingly take rodents, which are higher in nutrition and easier to obtain (most ratsnakes will eat frozen), is extremely uncalled for. this is a herp loving site, in fact our pres keeps anoles as pets, and loves them all. if you want to kill another herp for no reason, please do me a favor and don't go public with it. i enjoyed this thread, you have beautiful animals... but find another forum for that talk if you don't mind.

Oh...I forgot to mention.....In the wild, Black Rats don't eat JUST anoles.....they are oppurtunistic feeders who eat a wide variety of prey. A diet that was only or mainly anoles may cause a deficiency. Just FYI.