Feeder Fish

[guidofatherof5]

They are considered parasite diminished bc you are raising them to thrive in pristine conditions by having no overcrowding, proper filtration, and proper acid base balances. Parasites certainly can be in rodents. That is why we as keepers feed frozen thawed. There is always that chance that at any given time by continuing to feed live, there is more of a risk for a reptile to have a outbreak of high parasitic loads. This is true but can be reduced by feeding frozen thawed, keeping your husbandry numbers dialed in correctly, and very importantly to pay attention to cleanliness of the terrarium. That is crucial for garters who have high metabolisms and have high outputs of waste products. Keeping water bowls clean and disinfected on a regular basis will all help to keep parasitic loads to a minimum. Pink mice and rats are not completely a perfect staple bc they are mostly (90%) moisture. Lacking calcium mainly but they do have whole organs however small. Pink rats being a larger animal has a greater proportion but still mostly moisture. You can also steer clear of rodents if that is your choice but the garters will need complete nutrition from a varied safe diet which may include reptile vitamin/ mineral supplementation.

Need a citation on that 90% moister content Albert. I think that is a little high. So high I thought you were talking about night crawlers.

[Albert Clark]

Need a citation on that 90% moister content Albert. I think that is a little high. So high I thought you were talking about night crawlers.

Well, what percentage do you have the moisture at Steve? I would think it depends on which nutritional analysis reports you are looking at. Laboratories vary and their interpretations and results vary as well.