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Posted by Rob Carmichael on October 02, 2002 at 18:26:24:
In Reply to: Fellow Drymarchon Keepers! I pose this*Question* to you.... posted by Fred Albury on September 29, 2002 at 13:35:48:
I feed my indigos frozen/thawed prey (mice, rats, small rabbits, quail, chicks, shiners, etc.) and mine have never exhibited "bad aim" when it comes to feeding. But, I will also say that at times I hide the prey in boxes/etc. and they truly use their sense of "smell" in finding their food. As soon as they presence of food is in or near their cage, they go into full hunting mode with very quick tongue flicks, exasperated breathing, herky jerky body movements, etc. But, I have only offered live prey (a rat) on one occasion and the male grabbed it and pinned it to the rear wall of the cage and quickly subdued it. They seem to respond more to visual movement over their olfactory senses but this is based on a relatively small sample. You do raise some very interesting questions.
:Guys/Gals,
:After keeping and breeding Eastern Indigos for more years than I'd like to admit(That would divulge my age, a secret that I jealously guard) if have observed and pondered over something that I would like to bring up for dicusiion here. So here goes.........
:Eastern Indigos (Drymarchon corais couperi) are predominately Diurnal(Daytime dwelling) snakes. Correct? And they pursue and seek out their respective prey items dureing the daylight hours.
:This in many ways reminds me of racers, who are also daytime (diurnal ) sight hunters. My question for you is simply this, I have noticed, in my brief time here on this planet(joke) that wherein Eastern Indigos are daytine hunters, when they are fed in CAPTIVITY, they seem to use their Jacobsons organ almost soley for "Captureing " the food we feed them, irrespective if it is live or pre killed.
:I have had easterns look RIGHT at a prey item, and LUNG at their water bowl, where the prey item WAS 5 minutes ago and bite the waterbowl. So...if they are indeed sight hunters, then WHY do they seem to exhibit the trait of haveing LOUSY eyesight or at least not useing this sensory organ, when pursueing prey items in captive collections. My adult easterns will bite their water bowls, the floor of the cage and last but not least THEMSELVES.
:In short...everything but the mouse that is cowering in the corner of the cage, thinking hes got a chance cause this snake is so unawre of its enviornment.
:I am just totally amazed that a snake that is a daytime hunting animal is so dependent on it olfactory(Jacobsons organ) in detecting prey animals, espeically in captive situations. I ponder and wonder of this occurs in the wild, or if, by some dietary deficit, our snakes eyes have become less than usable. Please, intelligent feedback only, what do you folks think abut this based on your observations.
: *cheers*
: Fred Albury
: AZTEC REPTILES
: *We come from the South*
