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GGarter
03-20-2008, 02:50 PM
I was thinking about supplementing the diet of my garter with frogs.
The problem is that all amphibians in Denmark are protected by law, and I will not be part af those who don't care...

I was looking for cheap frogs to buy, but I am in doubt wether which species are poisonous and which are not.
I am thinking of feeding one of following species to my snake, but does anyone know if they are poisonous to garters?

Occidozyga lima
Xenopus tropicalis

and a salamander:

Cynops orientalis

Zephyr
03-20-2008, 03:46 PM
Xenopus are toxic.

EdgyExoticReptiles
03-20-2008, 06:02 PM
also frogs are high in parasites so you have to ask yourself if its worth it feeding cheap for a while then having the possibility having a $200 vet visit

Zephyr
03-20-2008, 07:25 PM
Limas are okay with lizards, not sure with snakes.

Zephyr
03-20-2008, 07:27 PM
Cynops are toxic.

Stefan-A
03-20-2008, 08:19 PM
I've thought about this more than once. There really doesn't seem to be a way around the parasite issue, but Xenopus and Cynops don't seem that toxic, especially not compared to some of the newts encountered in the wild. Then again, the composition would be different and foreign to all garters.

Any opinions on using feeder geckos or anoles instead? A few garter species include lizards in their diets, especially those from more arid regions.

Zephyr
03-20-2008, 08:50 PM
I've thought about this more than once. There really doesn't seem to be a way around the parasite issue, but Xenopus and Cynops don't seem that toxic, especially not compared to some of the newts encountered in the wild. Then again, the composition would be different and foreign to all garters.

Any opinions on using feeder geckos or anoles instead? A few garter species include lizards in their diets, especially those from more arid regions.Actually, I visited a Xenopus breeding facility. Their skin contains a toxin that first gives the snake lockjaw, then eventually kills it.

Stefan-A
03-20-2008, 09:01 PM
Actually, I visited a Xenopus breeding facility. Their skin contains a toxin that first gives the snake lockjaw, then eventually kills it.
I've only found articles mentioning temporary oral dyskinesia and a few statements about people using them without any problems whatsoever (X. laevis).

GarterGuy
03-20-2008, 09:19 PM
I haven't used them with garters, but I did feed Xenopus to a southern hognose with out ANY ill affects what so ever (it's all I could get the little buggar to eat!). I know of others that have done the same. Having said that, I wouldn't recomend feeding any live amphibians to your garters, mainly because they are host to lots of different parasites. As far as lizards go, I keep geckos in my freezer to occasionally supplement the diets of my Thayeri kings and also to get the hatchlings to feed. If you can get frozen anoles or geckos, I think it'd be worth a try to give it to garters and see if they will take it.