Hello everyone. I had no knowledge of ASFs until today. I went to the Taylor MI reptile show today and my usual guy for mice "forgot" to hold some for me so I was left empty handed. After some searching around there was one guy who had 6 very small ASFs for 50 cents apiece. I thought they were just some kind of "soft furred" mouse. I had no clue they were an altogether different species that's kinda between a mouse and rat.
First a little background. I only have a single BP. He is just a normal male and he's simply a pet. He is the most mild mannered and sweetest snake I have ever come across and my wife and I just love him like crazy. He is about 6 years old and on the small side. He tends to not want to eat rats. I typically get 8 retired breeder mice each month from the reptile show and feed him 2 a week.
I've always been interested in breeding. I know that typically breeding your own feeders for a single snake isn't recommended, but these ASF's have me intrigued. I hate the stink of mice, and like I said, my BP doesn't usually take rats. When I try rats he will usually refuse several weeks in a row until the rat is too big for him and then I am stuck with an animal I have no idea what to do with. That's a situation that I absolutely hate being in.
So from what I have gathered the ASFs are "in between" mice and rats and don't stink like crazy as mice are known for.
1. Is that an accurate assessment?
2. Since I only have 1 snake could I be successful with a 1.1 pair, or is 1.2 the absolute minimum?
3. I currently have them in my mouse holding bin which is 9x14 with the 1/4" hardware cloth as the lid. Do I need something larger? I don't care for glass as I have to lug them into the basement for cleaning. (my unfinished basement is way to cold in the winter here in Michigan to house them down there.)
4. Should I have two separate grow out tanks to keep males and females separated? It is my understanding that it takes 2-3 months for them to reach adult size.
5. I was thinking that I could try and sell excess stock on Craigslist or something. Has anyone else had success doing something like that?
This part of BP.net seems to be the most comprehensive source on ASF's I have found. And if there are any other factors I haven't considered please bring them to my attention. I will continue to dig through the threads here searching for more info. Thanks in advance for the help!
- JT
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