Would mouse pinks be ok to feed axies?

[lorraine]

I started thinking about this the other night when I was feeding my baby corn snakes. Axies eat guppies and other bony animals with no problem. Would it be all right to offer them an occasional frozen/thawed mouse pink? I would think it would be nutritious. Has anybody had any experience with this food source?

 

[edward]

I have done so in the past, however I would suggest that they not be the main nutritional source in the diet as high vitamin A levels can disrupt calcium metabolism. Additionally pinks are nutrient dense and it is easy to overfeed on them.

Ed

 

[brendan]

Im confused...

Corn snakes???

Now i am assuming that when you say "CORN SNAKES" you mean "CORN SNAKES". Is there a food for axies like a pellet or a frozen dish called "CORN SNAKES" or are you actually talking about a specie of "SNAKES"?

Also... Mouse Pink??? What the hell is that???

 

[leah]

She was feeding the mice to her corn snakes (reread the post, it makes perfect sense!), and wondered if axolotls could eat them (the mice) as well. Pinkie mice are unfurred babies, so named because they ARE pink

 

[mik]

Baby mice (pinkies or fuzzies) make a fine occaisional treat for larger axies 225mm+. They are supposed to be a good source of calcium but that seems to contradict Ed's information above.

The advice I had on them some time ago suggested no more than 1 every 6 months.

 

[brendan]

Ahh... LOL now i get it...

I was feeding my baby corn snakes.

I misunderstood it for

I was feeding my baby (axolotl adult) corn snakes.

God i feel like a idiot.

 

[edward]

Hi Mik,
The calcium levels (actually the Ca to P levels are fine). The problem comes from the competition that occurs with vitamin A and D3. If the vitamin A to D3 ratios are in excess of 10 to 1, then a form of MBD (secondary hyperparathyroidism) can be induced in the animal. I believe his has been listed in Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry as a causitive factor. This is only if the pinks are fed as a major (or sole) part of the diet.

Ed

 

[cynthia]

Lorraine - Where do you get your frozen baby mice from?

I saw them at the gas station in the bait section of the freezer. I had never thought about using mice as bait for fishing so it has kind of stuck with me lol

 

[jenny]

your petrol stations have a bait section? wow. thats odd. hehe

 

[mik]

Cheers Ed, that's way beyond my level of understanding... I got A level biology over 20 years ago. Apart from a little human physiology as an engineering student and some background reading I am way behind you on this type of thing...

Nevertheless I think I get the gist (too many pinkies may have an adverse effect on thyroid).

I will continue with the maxims "A little of what you fancy does you good" and "Everything in moderation".

 

[cynthia]

your petrol stations have a bait section? wow. thats odd. hehe

Idaho has lots of sportsmen/sportspersons, it is not unusual for gas stations here to carry fishing tackle and bait as people always stop and fill up with gas before heading out to their favorite fishing hole

I buy the worms at one particular gas station for my axolotls. I was impressed by their bait selection. They even have small garden worms with 24 to the carton. I don't have to cut up big worms anymore, I did not enjoy that part.

 

[dot]

Around here, a lot of the bait shops my dad and I used to go to when I was little have closed ... but super eager fishermen can I guess get their bait from the vending machines that have taken the place of bait shops.

However, I get my worms at Wal*Mart, so I'm not sure what is worse ...

 

[lorraine]

Awesome! So one pink a few times a year. Thanks for the input guys, it's good to know what is and isn't good for the little axies. I used to buy the pinks from a friend who raised thousands of feeder rodents, but he's disapeared into witness protection or something, so now I either get them from the petstore or order them online.