Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

arborealad · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject: lizard feeding species

What do you guys do when you buy a snake that feeds on lizards??
I know the main goal is to convert to thawed rodents but before that where do you get your lizards?
I know it sounds silly but can you buy frozen anoles or something in bulk like rodents, or do you have to purchase them live? Ive not found anywhere really that sells a "cheap" lizard or any small enough to feed to a small lizard eating species.

any tips or advice appreciated as usual
thanks

arborealad · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:36 pm Post subject:

can nobody shed any light on this? Sad

coachwhip · Contributing Member Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 109

Sorry to say but you have to get to know a supplier or find out details of one or get to know your local shop really well and get the lizards at cost. The shop also needs to know the right suppliers. An anole will be costing less than 4 pounds at the most from the right people, quite often less. Plus sometimes they will also need the right kind of lizard as some are picky and won't take anoles if they are from somewhere else in the world. Most will take either anoles or house geckos though.

Also you generally have to keep the anoles alive as most of the snakes won't take dead at this point.

Depending on the size you can assist or force fed, but obviously this is not for beginners. Another thing is you can tube feed, which is much easier and less stressful to do, but you really have to weigh the animals each time to work out the amount, plus I haven't found anyone so far in the UK that supplies the right kind of liquid diet.

Mike

arborealad · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply coachwip. All very informative stuff. i may, just may have the problem solved now Smile

coachwhip · Contributing Member Joined: 11 Nov 2005 Posts: 109

Glad to hear it, What snake have you got or are thinking of getting ?

Mike

arborealad · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

looking at mock vipers. I just didn't want to purchase before i knew i could find the right food. Cool

Al Stotton · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject: lizard feeders

Have you thought about trying out T Rex Lizard maker.I got some in the U.S. a few years ago that my brother used with good results on a bunch of new born Soloman Island Boas.
After refusing numerous attempts/tricks to get them started on pinks Sad

,the lizard maker was a last resort (before going down the anole route) and it worked like a dream and induced feeding in all the babies. Laughing

Just a suggestion as an alternative to the lizard hunting....Hope this Helps.

AL
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arborealad · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 5:32 pm Post subject:

Al that stuff sounds great il have to see if i can track some down.
I'm kinda hoping the snake feeds on scent rather than being triggered by the movements the lizard makes. One way or another its worth a shot.
thanks

Drymarchon32 · Key Member Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 271

Just a thought, but have you tried chick thigh meat, pressed or teased flat and then placed on the head of the pinky or for really small snakes just rolled into a small sausage? Apparently chick and lizard meat are similar, and I have had great success using chick thigh meat on gecko specific predators.
Might save you a lot of hassle trying to source anoles, but the lizard scent sounds like a good idea too.

Al
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Complacency killed the keeper