Starting my research

[SteveySingle]

I think bloods are beautiful snakes. I am very interested in getting one soon to add to my collection-not to breed, but just one to enjoy.
My main concern is feeding. I don't want to have to feed guinea pigs or rabbits, due to their size, and price...Is this a requirement for bloods or are large rats sufficient? I have not done any real research at this point, just toying w/the idea of getting one.

Any advice is appreciated, not only on the feeder issue, but any and all will be appreciated. Thanks guys

[Daybreaker]

An all rat diet should be just fine: that's my plan for my two Sumatran females (one being on large rats already).

[DNACurtusK]

As stated above, all rats would be just fine!

[SteveySingle]

Music to my ears, I'm officially one step closer...lol
Is the feeding routine for bloods relatively the same for balls? Weekly about 12% of their body weight?

[Daybreaker]

I followed the 10-15% rule when mine were smaller, but when they got on ~small rats I just started eye balling the feeder size and fed every 7 days and my one girl who's on larges I feed every 2 weeks. It's easy for them to get overweight but I've read well known breeders who feed adults weekly, but I've had no problems feeding the bigger ones every 10-14 days.

[JoeNapoli]

I think bloods are beautiful snakes. I am very interested in getting one soon to add to my collection-not to breed, but just one to enjoy.
My main concern is feeding. I don't want to have to feed guinea pigs or rabbits, due to their size, and price...Is this a requirement for bloods or are large rats sufficient? I have not done any real research at this point, just toying w/the idea of getting one.

Any advice is appreciated, not only on the feeder issue, but any and all will be appreciated. Thanks guys

Where/how are you starting your research?

Also, woodchucks (groundhogs) are suitable feeders. And they're free. Think outside the box.

[KMG]

Where/how are you starting your research?

Also, woodchucks (groundhogs) are suitable feeders. And they're free. Think outside the box.

Free? I am guessing you mean wild caught? If so you are not going to find many people here to back you on that being a good decision.


I feed my big girl every two weeks. She gets one XL rat and any feeders that were refused.

[JoeNapoli]

Free? I am guessing you mean wild caught? If so you are not going to find many people here to back you on that being a good decision.


I feed my big girl every two weeks. She gets one XL rat and any feeders that were refused.

Wild caught yes, like venison, Brook Trout, etc.

Of what consequence is it if we "are not going to find many people here to back you on that being a good decision"? Are we running for political office, or exchanging ideas re somebody who doesn't "want to have to feed guinea pigs or rabbits, due to their price"?

Parasites, viruses, AIDS? Oh yeah almost forgot that free range wild caught animals are sick and should not be consumed by anyone or anything, unlike rodents kept in crowded trays, sleeping in their own feces/urine, & eating nasty pellets that would make a BillyGoat puke. Scratch that idea - back to rats everybody! Everybody back to rats!

[Mike41793]

A good rat breeder doesn't over crowd trays, cleans the bedding regularly and doesn't feed crappy food.

Goats can chew through peoples walls in their houses so I'm pretty sure they eat anything lol.

[KMG]

Wild caught yes, like venison, Brook Trout, etc.

Of what consequence is it if we "are not going to find many people here to back you on that being a good decision"? Are we running for political office, or exchanging ideas re somebody who doesn't "want to have to feed guinea pigs or rabbits, due to their price"?

Parasites, viruses, AIDS? Oh yeah almost forgot that free range wild caught animals are sick and should not be consumed by anyone or anything, unlike rodents kept in crowded trays, sleeping in their own feces/urine, & eating nasty pellets that would make a BillyGoat puke. Scratch that idea - back to rats everybody! Everybody back to rats!

You can do whatever you want. I just don't think it is very responsible to suggest using a feeder that may have been contaminated in some way and run the risk of harming another keepers collection. I have a hard time believing you can 100% guarantee that a wild caught animal had not been exposed to some hazardous material or parasite.

I doubt you eat your venison or trout raw.