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Dread
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 43
Location: St. John's, NL
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 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:31 am Post subject: Spiny mouse (gerbil-relative) |
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Does anyone have any experience or advice concerning spiny mice as a BP feeder? They're a widely-distributed African species, closely related to gerbils, though the "spine-like" hairs on their back might make them inappropriate as feeders, particularly for the poor snake that tries to swallow them backwards!
I've seen picky WC snakes take them with little hesitation, which means there must be some pre-captivity imprinting on them as prey species.
Look forward to hear your thoughts.
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Jordan700
Joined: 29 May 2006
Posts: 1049
Location: Petaluma, California
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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I would have to see a picture to make sure that I have never seen them before....But if they are a rodent that are found where balls are found, they are most likely a common food item. 
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6300
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Jordan700 wrote: | | I would have to see a picture to make sure that I have never seen them before....But if they are a rodent that are found where balls are found, they are most likely a common food item. |
HENCE the imprinting on swallowing a certain direction, but after being here for a while, they learn that they can swallow foot first if they desire? 
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inger
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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While I know nothing specifically about FEEDING spiny mice to ball pythons, but as a former keeper of this particular rodent species, I would highly recommend against it. Their spines are fairly formidable, and personality wise, they can also be somewhat aggressive when forced into a defensive position.
They may, in fact, be a common food item for wild balls, but one unaccustomed to such a snack could suffer unnecessarily. I'd stick with mice and rats.
--
Inger
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RonCrawford
Site Admin
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 1864
Location: Pottsville, PA (USA)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| inger wrote: | While I know nothing specifically about FEEDING spiny mice to ball pythons, but as a former keeper of this particular rodent species, I would highly recommend against it. Their spines are fairly formidable, and personality wise, they can also be somewhat aggressive when forced into a defensive position.
They may, in fact, be a common food item for wild balls, but one unaccustomed to such a snack could suffer unnecessarily. I'd stick with mice and rats.
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Inger |
Better safe than sorry. 
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6300
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| inger wrote: | While I know nothing specifically about FEEDING spiny mice to ball pythons, but as a former keeper of this particular rodent species, I would highly recommend against it. Their spines are fairly formidable, and personality wise, they can also be somewhat aggressive when forced into a defensive position.
They may, in fact, be a common food item for wild balls, but one unaccustomed to such a snack could suffer unnecessarily. I'd stick with mice and rats.
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Inger |
Agreed. 
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Buck_99
Moderator
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 1243
Location: Midlothian, VA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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You could always shave 'em first.
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6300
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Buck_99 wrote: | | You could always shave 'em first. |
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RonCrawford
Site Admin
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 1864
Location: Pottsville, PA (USA)
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Buck_99 wrote: | | You could always shave 'em first. |
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Buck_99
Moderator
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 1243
Location: Midlothian, VA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| RonCrawford wrote: | | Buck_99 wrote: | | You could always shave 'em first. |
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That's right, Ron: harness the power of 5!
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PyMama
Moderator
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Posts: 1646
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Shave against the hair.. ouch!
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inger
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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You guys crack me up. Shave indeed! Obviously, few of you have ever seen a spiny mouse in person... those hard, spiny outer hairs are much more suitable to plucking <g>
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Inger
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RonCrawford
Site Admin
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 1864
Location: Pottsville, PA (USA)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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| inger wrote: | You guys crack me up. Shave indeed! Obviously, few of you have ever seen a spiny mouse in person... those hard, spiny outer hairs are much more suitable to plucking <g>
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Inger |
Obviously, few of you have ever seen the POWER OF 5 in action!
(just kidding but boy is that one good razor, makes my face feel smooth as a ball pythons belly!)
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Buck_99
Moderator
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 1243
Location: Midlothian, VA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:22 am Post subject: |
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We could wax 'em.
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6300
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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Buck, have YOU ever waxed anything other than the car?
 You would have one PISSED spiny on your hands!
Try the power of 5! 
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