Do you ever feed directly on Loose Substrate

[durke]

I would never feed on loose substrate. I DO feed on Eco Earth, but I pat it down firmly to make sure my ball python doesn't get any of it in his mouth. Working pretty well so far.

[Skiploder]

I feed my snakes in a separate bin after I skin the rats, chop of their claws and pull their teeth. I also lop off their tails. and shave their little whiskers.

This way I am sure that no harm will ever befall my delicate little snakes.

A number of years ago one of my snakes died after I fed it on substrate. Even though I have since changed my substrate from glass shards and barbed wire to silk, I still don't take any chances.

[3skulls]

I feed my snakes in a separate bin after I skin the rats, chop of their claws and pull their teeth. I also lop off their tails. and shave their little whiskers.

This way I am sure that no harm will ever befall my delicate little snakes.

A number of years ago one of my snakes died after I fed it on substrate. Even though I have since changed my substrate from glass shards and barbed wire to silk, I still don't take any chances.

Do you feed live or F/T?

[Skiploder]

Do you feed live or F/T?

I feed braised with a little jus and garnish.

[ChrisS]

I feed braised with a little jus and garnish.

How do they taste?

[SylverTears]

I feed mine on loose substrate but my little lavender died recently of an impaction most likely due to substrate so I may be changing my opinion on feeding on loose substrate. Now I use paper towels for all my baby corns. My balls get cypress mulch or shredded paper, sometimes carefresh or newspaper. I use a variety of substrates to mix it up a little.

[Skiploder]

I feed mine on loose substrate but my little lavender died recently of an impaction most likely due to substrate so I may be changing my opinion on feeding on loose substrate. Now I use paper towels for all my baby corns. My balls get cypress mulch or shredded paper, sometimes carefresh or newspaper. I use a variety of substrates to mix it up a little.

Most likely?

Never seen a necropsy come back saying "most likely".

There are numerous causes for impactions - most have nothing to do with substrate. Substrate caused impactions are so rare that most vets who actually encourage necropsies state that they never see them. In fact most impactions are secondary complications that are preceded by a primary infection cheesing up the gastric system............

Case in point, I sold some Louisiana pines to a lovely lady in Idaho. After a year of ownership two of them died from what she claimed were impactions.

Now toss out the coincidence that TWO snakes died within the span of 10 days and toss out the fact that her vet was too stupid to look at other potential issues and instead was willing to collect her $125 for treating the animals and claim they died of "impaction".

When a third snake in her collection died shortly after (a milksnake if memory serves) I pleaded with her to get the animal necropsied. The necropsy showed that the gastric tract was completely filled with ricotta and further histology showed a viral infection. Her bone dumb vet was willing to chalk up a third death to impaction when she had a virus raging through her collection, which was later tracked to a recent arrival.

Now there are a subset of hack vets out there who will willingly tell you something based on a WAG. As long as people continue to THINK that their animals died from impacted substrate and as long as vets are willing to take guesses on causes of death without recommending a necropsy; the stupid, useless, yet apparently persistent myth that feeding on loose wood fiber substrate is a risk will continue to pollute these forums.

[Homegrownscales]

It's very simple. If they can digest BONE... They can digest a little bit of plant matter...
I've fed for 7+ years on loose sub. Never had an issue.

As always Skip you are hilarious!



Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[barbie.dragon]

It's very simple. If they can digest BONE... They can digest a little bit of plant matter...
I've fed for 7+ years on loose sub. Never had an issue.

As always Skip you are hilarious!



Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

The ability to digest plant material is different from being able to digest animal material. But I agree with the point that substrate should pose absolutely no problem.

[Virus]

I feed on whatever substrate my reptiles have in their set up. My snakes are all on eco earth currently. So far, I haven't had any troubles.