Opossum, chicks, lizards, rabbits... Anyone feed their Morelia varied prey?

[rock]

Just found a baby opossum in our yard and, no, I did not think of disturbing it. We have a number of wild animals that visit us from cardinals and blue jays in our bird feeders to a pair of giant amevia that live in our yard and an assortment of anoles and geckos.

It it made me think about what my Bredli would naturally come across in his natural environment versus what I feed him in captivity.

So, the main question is, does it ever make sense to vary the diet of Morelia or will they live nutritionally sound lives just off appropriately sized rats?

[EL-Ziggy]

I believe they'll be just fine on a diet of rats exclusively but I'm a big fan of offering a diverse diet to my snakes. I feed my carpets mostly rats but they also get mice, chicks, and ASFs sometimes. The Bredli and Coastal may get rabbits if they get large enough. I wouldn't ever feed any of my critters wild animals just because I'd be worried about the potential for parasites.

[DennisM]

I also feed chicken, quail and rabbit to Morelia. Like El-Ziggy, I feed primarily rats and they will do just fine without any variation. I never feed mice to any carpet that has already taken rats.

[Kcl]

Just found a baby opossum in our yard and, no, I did not think of disturbing it.

If it's truly a baby, a baby Virginia opossum alone is orphaned/abandoned. This is one of relatively few species where this is true. The babies ride on the mother's back until they're ready to be independent. If they fall off, the mother won't come back for them.

[rock]

I believe they'll be just fine on a diet of rats exclusively but I'm a big fan of offering a diverse diet to my snakes. I feed my carpets mostly rats but they also get mice, chicks, and ASFs sometimes. The Bredli and Coastal may get rabbits if they get large enough. I wouldn't ever feed any of my critters wild animals just because I'd be worried about the potential for parasites.

Thanks, Zig, good to know. I agree, I won't be grabbing anything from outside. I actually like our little slice of "wilderness".

[rock]

I also feed chicken, quail and rabbit to Morelia. Like El-Ziggy, I feed primarily rats and they will do just fine without any variation. I never feed mice to any carpet that has already taken rats.

That is a nice mix. I agree, I just switched to rats and wouldn't want a future problem by switching them back.

[rock]

If it's truly a baby, a baby Virginia opossum alone is orphaned/abandoned. This is one of relatively few species where this is true. The babies ride on the mother's back until they're ready to be independent. If they fall off, the mother won't come back for them.

Well, I say baby, but it was the size of a large/jumbo rat. Likely old enough to be on his own but much smaller than I am used to seeing. The toughest thing is keeping our small dog from chasing it down. She thinks she was born to hunt!

[Kcl]

Well, I say baby, but it was the size of a large/jumbo rat. Likely old enough to be on his own but much smaller than I am used to seeing. The toughest thing is keeping our small dog from chasing it down. She thinks she was born to hunt!

Good to hear! It's probably old enough then. They can be alone at about 7-9 inches long. Baby opossums are my favorite baby animal to work with. They are like little muppets. Even with adult opossums I've never met one that wasn't easy to work with. All hiss, no bite - or no hiss and no bite.

[rock]

Good to hear! It's probably old enough then. They can be alone at about 7-9 inches long. Baby opossums are my favorite baby animal to work with. They are like little muppets. Even with adult opossums I've never met one that wasn't easy to work with. All hiss, no bite - or no hiss and no bite.

I would say it's pretty close to that size and yes, it looks like a little muppet!

[BigLou3]

I also feed our carpets a variety. I feel as though it's a good thing to be diverse on a nutrient basis. However, I have no scientific proof. I feed chicks, quail, rats, guinea pigs, and eventually when they are big enough I plan to feed rabbits to those who can handle it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk