A Different Prey Item for the Black Headed Python

[Najakeeper]

I was at world famous budgerigar breeder Daniel Lütolf's place the other day. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me to photograph his beautiful collection of birds. While looking at the cages, we have noticed that one of his prized females had passed away. It is breeding season and things like this unfortunately happen as breeding is tough on females. I asked him what he would do with the bird and he told me that he was going to thrash it so I took it as snake food. I froze the bird for a couple days to kill the potential parasites and used it in today's feeding.


Here are some pictures:











I also shot a long video and I will post it next week.


In the meantime, here is Mr. Lütolf's website.


http://www.daniel-luetolf.ch/index_english.htm

[Reinz]

Who said there's no free lunch?

That's an Awesome looking snake!

Thanks

[vangarret2000]

Freezing won't kill all parasites or harmful bacteria. Some just go dormant until they get back up to a proper temperature. Only heat would kill them all. That's why you can't just freeze meats for humans and then eat them raw after. Also why it's not good to freeze and thaw and refreeze again. That won't get rid of parasites or bacteria, just make it worse. Humans do have a weaker stomach then most animals though. If it was freshly dead it wouldn't have had the time to really develop any bad parasites anyways. If it was dead a while before he noticed who knows what was on it but it still might not have been harmful enough for a snake.

[Najakeeper]

Freezing won't kill all parasites or harmful bacteria. Some just go dormant until they get back up to a proper temperature. Only heat would kill them all. That's why you can't just freeze meats for humans and then eat them raw after. Also why it's not good to freeze and thaw and refreeze again. That won't get rid of parasites or bacteria, just make it worse. Humans do have a weaker stomach then most animals though. If it was freshly dead it wouldn't have had the time to really develop any bad parasites anyways. If it was dead a while before he noticed who knows what was on it but it still might not have been harmful enough for a snake.

Thanks for the comment. Being an ex-bacterial geneticist, I kinda know what will kill bacteria and what won't. In fact, I grew bacteria from cultures that were frozen 50 yrs ago. And cold won't destroy bacterial toxins either unfortunately. Yet, freezing has a decent effect on most parasites and that was my main goal there. The bird was dead very recently when I got it so the snake should be perfectly OK. I have seen snakes eat pretty putrid stuff and act like nothing different has happened. They have a very strong gastrointestinal system.

[Najakeeper]

Story of my male Aspidites melanocephalus; from innocently basking to I will bite the snot out of you within 30 seconds:

[Najakeeper]

And the video:

[Gerardo]

Cool stuff. I wish i got free snake food.

[Zombree]

Thanks for the comment. Being an ex-bacterial geneticist, I kinda know what will kill bacteria and what won't. In fact, I grew bacteria from cultures that were frozen 50 yrs ago. And cold won't destroy bacterial toxins either unfortunately. Yet, freezing has a decent effect on most parasites and that was my main goal there. The bird was dead very recently when I got it so the snake should be perfectly OK. I have seen snakes eat pretty putrid stuff and act like nothing different has happened. They have a very strong gastrointestinal system.

I was actually completely ignorant on this entire subject so I am learning stuff from you all. I wasn't sure if freezing things lessened the likelihood of bacterial or parasitic infection/infestation
Very good stuff. Very good. Thanks!