All the feeder insects are not recommended as a food sourse for the garter snakes ??

[NickB]

Yeah, egg shell and bones are no problem. The hardness is calcium which is easily disolved by any strong (stomach) acid. Keratin (hair, nails/claws, scales) insect exoskeletons (chitin) is hard protein. As you might know by experiencing a hair clogged drain, that takes a strong alkaline (sodium hydroxide found in drain cleaners) to break up, or as Stefan mentioned, enzymes that most animals lack in their digestive process. It just takes too long to break down, and plugs them up.

So by that logic feeding whole mice isn't good due to the keratin on the nails?Would it be better to cut the feet off?

[guidofatherof5]

So by that logic feeding whole mice isn't good due to the keratin on the nails?Would it be better to cut the feet off?

What you are talking about is "blind logic" This is not always the best way to solve a problem or make a decision.

[NickB]

What you are talking about is "blind logic" This is not always the best way to solve a problem or make a decision.

That's why I used a question mark So Keratin must be fine in small enough amounts that it can just pass through the system? Kind of like us eating sweetcorn.

[Stefan-A]

So by that logic feeding whole mice isn't good due to the keratin on the nails?Would it be better to cut the feet off?

The fur is the first thing that comes to mind. The short answer is that even they can't digest it, it doesn't mean it's a problem. Those animals that can't pass it, regurgitate it.