question for jeff R

[Steve_M.]

a freind recently gave me the Boaphile 1998 video in it you say you beleive that rats are much less likely to be regurgitated than mice I've heard the opposite is true because mouse fur is finer than rat fur and theirfore more easily digested could you elaborate on your theory

[The_Boaphile]

My theory is based upon raising hundreds of Boas for at least one year and thousands for a period of a few months before being sold. I used to use mice because they are more readily accepted to be sure. They are also more readily rejected. A similar sized rat, large pink rat, will stay down especially in say Argentine or Bolivian Boas (Argentines and Bolivians love to regurgitate as babies) than will a weanling mouse which is more difficult to digest. At least that has been my belief.

I also made another switch that has reduced the frequency of regurgitation. I have not tried this with new born Argentines or Bolivians yet but have with lots of Colombians and it works like a charm.

The switch? The "Mark Kennedy Method" of feeding, and general care of baby Boas! Mark told me about five months ago he rarely had Boas regurgitate since he made one little tincy wincy little change. Well Mark quit offering babies a hot spot. In other words Mark heats the room rather than the rack or cage. Mark's theory is that a baby Boa while digesting will seek out the warmest area and the food will invariably become too warm and be regurgitated more frequently. I decided to make the change that very day. I turned off my rack heat and turned up the temp on my space heater. I have not looked back. b30.gif I have been able to feed larger meals to smaller babies and thus save labor. When you have a LOT of babies to feed you have to think about labor savings. This has meant I have been able to feed less often. Now Mark does feed mice without any problems. I'll stick with rat though as I never have to make the switch.

Good luck!

Jeff

[chris_peterman]

I've also found that rats are better than mice.I have a female CA boa that can keep down a sm rat (this is a large meal for her) With no problems,but give her a small mouse and a couple of days later up it comes s29.gif


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