Captive snakes and obesity

[dtknow]

Agreeing with DrJ: though of course we would all be interested in seeing the pictures. Get a few dozen more snakes to necropsy and compare to wild snakes or snakes given excercise etc. with statistics to back it up and then you can begin making bold statements(in science). For now, this is just an inkling of an idea-though nevertheless an interesting thought. Indeed-the average hobbyist's snake in a sweaterbox eating FT prey has little encouragement to excercise.

PBL: My question is-how did this cottonmouth get started on such a diet in the first place? It is amusing to read about but if that was my snake I'd be starving it till it gave in if it looks the way you describe it.

 

[LeilaNami]

Okay, to clarify, I'm not doing a study. I'm merely passing along info from those in the department that are dissecting these snakes. Maybe one day if I have a lab at my disposal and numerous snakes for a reasonable sample size, I'll do a study and publish. I've got to do it for school eventually anyway. I'm posing a food-for-thought question that could eventually challenge what is considered healthy in the hobby if pursued. That's all.

Here's some more info for those that are interested.

There are three snakes. One is a WC fresh-import boomslang, one is a captive adult eyelash viper, and the other is a captive chondro. Currently, the feeding charts are being looked for. Both the eyelash and chondro were kept in captivity for a long time.

Snakes are still in my freezer. Jason and I are being bombarded with exams and papers every week. I wish there was a crying emote because the sad face just doesn't cut it.

 

[dtknow]

Hello Leilanami: ...and that is how neat discoveries begin. As a fellow college student(in the life sciences also) I feel your pain! Just got done with everything big this week and it is such a relief.

How long was the boomslang in captivity? If it was a fresh import maybe its excessive fat deposits could have been another health issue.

I guess this is a good thread to address this but I am really starting to see that necropsies are very important. Too many people(myself included) either shy away from them due to it being a pet-or otherwise the cost/effort involved. I hope you guys have access to additional captives for necropsy.

Here is an interesting example.
http://www.bluetongueskinks.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=357522&highlight=#357522