EvoRx® FAQ
Curious about switching to EvoRx®? This section answers common questions about our innovative rodent-free snake food – from ingredients and feeding guidance to storage and safety.
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EvoRx – what exactly is it and how is it made? This is not an ultra-processed food.
EvoRx® is a whole animal prey source made with very few simple or ‘light’ processes; it does not contain offcuts or waste materials and has not been formulated from mechanically reclaimed meats. We are all quite right to be worried about ultra-processed foods. However, most foods require some level of processing before consumption. As an example, if you were to take an unprocessed piece of beef and place it through a simple grinder, forming patties from that ground beef, that would be two simple processes. In food production terminology, this would now be classed as a processed food. The greater the number of processes including those that are intrusive or change the nature of a food leads to the description of that food being ultra-processed.
EvoRx® is a processed food because it has a small number of simple processes in its creation. EvoRx® does use a whole animal prey source as its core protein. This includes the whole animal as stipulated within the current DEFRA guidelines for UK manufacture. In this form the whole animal within regulations is simply passed through a mincing machine, which is the first step of production, or ‘process one’.
The second stage is the addition of a small quantity of the plant/algae-based binding agent, which serves to increase the rigidity of the product, allowing safe natural striking, swallowing and digestion. Snakes are well used to processing plant matter in small volumes due to the gut contents of feeders in the wild.
The next stage of production is the addition of the vitamins and minerals, the levels of vitamins and minerals added in to EvoRx® have been added under the advice of highly qualified zoological vets. We agree that vitamin A, D3 and E being the fat-soluble vitamins, are present within the organs of a whole prey animal and the levels of these vitamins occur on a 1 to 1 basis of a single animal feed. In the case of EvoRx® we are using 1 animal to make multiple feeds (one set of organs). Therefore, we have had to use vet-accepted vitamin and mineral liquids to balance EvoRx® back within the levels seen in the average rodent prey source.
The final stage is the addition of the collagen casing and calcium soak.
With regards to the ingredients list on our website and packaging. After the listed ingredient ‘’collagen casing, you will see a number of other ingredients placed in brackets. This does not mean that we add these ingredients into the final formulation ourselves; these are simply the ingredients that we are required by law to show that have been used to make the collagen casing itself and in relation to the collagen content, these are also in very small quantities. In terms of production and processing, EvoRx® undergoes six constructive processes, including freezing, none of which conform to the accepted standard of being ‘ultra-processed’ and are minimal in nature.
What is EvoRx made from, just waste material?
EvoRx® is a whole prey food source that does not include offcuts or by-products. EvoRx® is made under licence in Great Britain within the tight regulations of raw pet food licencing. UK-sourced whole chickens are used to produce EvoRx® within all of the regulations that are common to British farming. The UK government classifies and issues this licence which is called an (ABP) which does stand for ‘by-products’ but this whole remit also includes the use of whole animal-based food production and of course cuts. See by-products section for more.
What does ‘ABP’ mean?
ABP stands for Animal By-Products, in UK law we hold a category 3 ABP license (DEFRA ABP Number: 05/007/8101ABP/PETR). This includes the use of a whole animals or its part’s that are not intended for human consumption. In this case our use of the whole animal is still classed as ABP under our licence.
There are 3 different categories of ABP license in British legislation category 1, 2 & 3. Each license covers a different type or process of animal product, EvoRx® is classed as category 3 and only the stipulations of category 3 apply to EvoRx®.
EvoRx and dietary variety
EvoRx® can be used to increase dietary variety alongside: mice, rats, chicks, quail, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters and multimammates. Variety feeding is a positive thing and EvoRx® can be used to further increase the variety of food sources offered to your animal. EvoRx® can be used as a sole food source if a keeper so wishes also. EvoRx® becomes a powerful tool for keepers who may have ‘in the home’ care for their animals whilst being away, especially for those of us who may have family or friends willing to help care but would prefer not to have to feed whole rodents.
EvoRx® can be used in the same way as rodents and birds would be used to offer meals of differing sizes and quantities to help mimic nest raiding or cycle food portion sizes over the seasons.
What is a colubrid?
A colubrid is a member of the Colubridae family, which includes commonly kept snake species like Milk Snakes, King Snakes and Corn Snakes.
Shall I try with my Royal/Ball Python (Python regius)?
EvoRx® was specifically designed for colubrids, not Royal Pythons (Ball Pythons). While some pythons may accept it, it is not the primary target species.
Will my Carpet Python eat it?
Carpet Pythons were found through extensive trialling to readily and consistently eat EvoRx®, the nutrient profile of this diet matches the diet of the wild Carpet Python closely, therefore, it is perfect for your snake.
Will my Boa eat it?
Similar to Carpet Pythons, Boas were found through extensive trialling to readily and consistently eat EvoRx®, the nutrient profile of this diet matches the diet of the wild Boa closely, therefore, it is perfect for your snake.
Can I feed this to my Monitor Lizard?
While EvoRx® was designed with Colubrids in mind we have found Monitors and other Omnivorous species of lizard will readily consume EvoRx® as part of their natural balanced and varied diet.
Is this a full-term diet I can use for life?
Yes, EvoRx® has been tested as a long-term diet for Colubrids. Feeding trials confirm that it can sustain healthy growth in snakes over their lifetime, ‘We passionately believe EvoRx® has been formulated as a complete nutritional alternative for almost all rodent-fed species
Will my snake eat from the first feed?
Trials showed that 70% of snakes accepted EvoRx® on the first feed, with almost all converting soon after and within the next 4-5 feeds. See our feeding instructions
Will my snake feed as often or more or less?
Snakes fed on EvoRx® self-regulate their intake better and tend to eat slightly less often than with rodents, as the diet is more nutrient-dense, bioavailable and digestible.
Can I use EvoRx® alongside other prey items?
Yes, EvoRx® can be fed as part of a varied diet, alongside high-quality rodents and avian prey but it is designed to be a complete diet on its own.
What will happen to my reptile's stools?
EvoRx® contains natural fibres, which slow digestion, increases gut microbiota and improves stool consistency. It helps prevent loose stools, just like fur in wild prey.
Who helped develop it?
EvoRx® was developed by Arcadia Reptile, leading reptile nutritionists, and specialist vets, drawing on decades of expertise.
Can I eat it?
EvoRx® is a dedicated exotic animal diet, not for human consumption.
Do I need to supplement it?
EvoRx® is nutritionally complete and does not require additional supplementation. *See our nutritional profiles here
Can it provide enrichment?
Yes, EvoRx® provides natural feeding enrichment by mimicking whole prey nutrition, which encourages natural feeding behaviours. We have also found after the animal is accustomed to EvoRx® it can be used in scent trailing for added enrichment.
Why are EvoRx® parcels smaller than mice?
EvoRx® is sold by weight of meat, not by size, ensuring precise feeding control and preventing obesity
Can EvoRx® be fed to exotic mammals and birds of prey?
EvoRx® is suitable as a rodent replacement for Birds of Prey (BOP) and as a full and varied diet for exotic mammals.
Why does the nutritional composition add up to over 100%
When looking at the nutritional breakdown of EvoRx®, you might notice that the percentages listed for protein, fats, moisture, fibre, minerals and oils seem to add up to more than 100%. This is completely normal and not a mistake. The reason is that some of these values overlap. For example, the total oil (fat) content is listed in two ways— “Oil A” and “Total Oil (B)”—which are measured using different methods. These can include some of the same fats, so adding them together would double-count some parts. Similarly, minerals like calcium and phosphorus are already included in the “Ash” value, so they’re not separate ingredients but part of a larger group.
Another reason is that all the percentages are based on the product in its natural, moist state—this is known as “as fed”. Since over 70% of EvoRx® is moisture (natural water content), the rest of the nutrients are squeezed into the remaining portion of the food, which can make the numbers look like they exceed 100% when combined. In reality, they don’t: it’s just how laboratory testing works. The important thing to know is that EvoRx® is carefully balanced to provide everything your reptile needs, in the right amounts, with no unnecessary fillers.
An explanation of Ca:P ratios
The calcium to phosphorus ratio when averaged over batch testing is 2.59:1. This is a critical feature that supports optimal skeletal health and growth in snakes. Reptiles require a dietary Ca:P ratio close to 2:1 or slightly higher to ensure proper bone mineralisation, muscle function, and metabolic stability. A deficiency or imbalance can lead to metabolic bone disease, deformities, or impaired growth. EvoRx®’s carefully formulated ratio ensures that calcium is available in the right proportion to phosphorus, enhancing absorption and utilisation. This balance works synergistically with key amino acids like lysine and proline to support the development and maintenance of strong bones and connective tissue throughout the snake’s body.
Do I still need to provide water for my snake when fed EvoRx®?
Yes, of course, all animals should be supplied with a constant source of fresh water just as you would when using feeder rodents.
Can 'rear fang' and other venomous snakes eat it?
EvoRx® has been tested on a whole host of species, and including rear fanged snakes where uptake was high. EvoRx® is a rodent replacement diet and can be used with any species usually fed with feeder rodents, this includes rear fang and venomous snakes.
Do I need to transition my snake/reptile onto EvoRx®?
No, in our extensive trials around 70% of all snakes offered the diet (colubrids and boas) accepted the food from the first feed. Unlike dogs and cats, a weaning off and on period is not required. EvoRx® can be used as complete food for these species, and a swift transition is usual. You may, however, use EvoRx® to add variety into your feeding. As such it is more than fine to feed other whole animal prey sources alongside EvoRx® if your snake will accept them. Please keep in mind that EvoRx® is bioavailable by design and highly satiating, as such it is usual for snakes to elongate the periods between feeding episodes.
What about larger sizes, other mixes and bulk for zoos?
We are always innovating and this is key to our outlook as a welfare focussed brand. If it becomes clear that larger sizes of EvoRx® are required at any point we would seek to increase the range alongside need. In terms of new mixes, we of course have not stopped here, over time we will continue to add further variety into the range. For zoos, specialist stores and educational facilities that require bulk supplies for own use, please do contact us and we will see how best we can help.
Fats and proteins, not all fats are bad!
Independent UK laboratory testing shows EvoRx® contains 7.91% Oil A (ether-extractable fat, free flowing and easily digestible) and 8.25% Oil B (total fat, free flowing and ‘locked away’ fats) on an as-fed basis (wet), with 70.8% moisture and 16.6% protein; that near-match between Oil A and Oil B means almost all of these fats are easy-to-digest by snakes and can be readily used within the body. In practice, this translates to efficient digestion and dependable nutrient transfer as balanced proteins work together with beneficial fats.
EvoRx® is a lean, highly usable feed that pairs lipids (fats) with a robust amino profile (proteins); COA (certificate of analysis) data shows meaningful levels of lysine and methionine (L-4.3% and M -1.3% DM), supporting endogenous carnitine synthesis and efficient β-oxidation, alongside BCAAs, glycine, and proline for tissue repair and gut integrity. The result is an efficient uptake and use of polyunsaturates; including omega-3 and omega-6.
Whole-bird chicken provides both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 is prevalent in much higher amounts, but omega-3 is consistently present in smaller yet biologically meaningful quantities.
It is also important that there is no confusion between the ‘as fed’ and ‘dry values’. Dry matter values are shown as being much higher than the ‘as fed’, as these levels are calculated with all water removed.
EvoRx has a high Ash content, what does this actually mean?
In terms of food and nutrition Ash is not just the net result of a fire, this is the method in which a foods mineral content is measured by a laboratory. The higher the ash content indicates the higher the likelihood of usable minerals being within that food. We consulted a peer-reviewed paper online which seemed to show farmed rodents having a level of ash between 8-11%, lab testing for EvoRx® provides a dry matter ash content of 12.67%. The independent lab testing demonstrates that EvoRx® has a high quantity of minerals. This is because we use a whole prey item as our food source. As example foods that simply use off cuts, meat portions or highly processed proteins would have a much lower ash content, this is due to the lack of bones etc.
Dierenfeld, Ellen & Alcorn, Heather & Jacobsen, Krista. (2002). Nutrient Composition of Whole Vertebrate Prey (Excluding Fish) Fed in Zoos. 7994.
Fat to Glucose
Not all fats are bad, indeed only certain fats are more likely to turn to glucose which then increases stored problematic fats within the body. EvoRx® is low in problematic fats because:
In the UK, raw whole chicken—sold as meat plus skin, with bone intact—contains approximately 131 kcal per 100 g, with 12.4 g protein and 9 g total fat on average. The fat breakdown is roughly 2.5 g saturated fat (SFA), 4.2 g monounsaturated fat (MUFA), and 1.7 g polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) per 100 g. These values come from the official UK nutrition database, derived from Public Health England’s CoFID dataset. nutridex.org.uk
This profile makes raw whole-bird chicken a moderately fatty, protein-dense ingredient. MUFAs—especially oleic acid—are the dominant fat type, followed by smaller amounts of PUFAs and saturated fats. That means in a whole-carcass context, the bird delivers balanced energy and lipids that are predictable and well-characterised—especially helpful when using whole prey items like entire chickens for feeding sessions.
Not all fats behave the same way once eaten. Some types of fat are easily broken down and can be converted by the liver into glucose. If the body already has enough energy, that extra glucose is then stored as body fat. This process makes it easier for “problem fats” to build up in the body over time. These stored fats can contribute to excess weight and reduced metabolic health.
By contrast, the fats in EvoRx® are mostly in the neutral, usable form. These are the kinds of fats the body can absorb quickly and use efficiently as energy, rather than first converting them into glucose. Importantly, EvoRx® also contains the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. These “good fats” are used directly in the body to build healthy cell membranes, support the brain and nervous system, and regulate natural processes like growth and repair. Because they are directed into these beneficial pathways, they are less likely to be converted into glucose and stored as excess fat, helping reduce the risk of unwanted “problem fats.”
Busting a myth, are vitamins toxic to snakes?
Snakes require vitamins and minerals within the diet to enable their body to function correctly, every whole animal prey source contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D3 and E, these are stored mostly within the internal organs of this prey source. They will also be obtaining B vitamins from this prey source, via wild water sources and their environment, therefore there is a fundamental proven method of supply of vitamins and minerals in the wild environment and these have become vital within the evolution of these species.
EvoRx® has been balanced within these essential vitamins and minerals under vet guidance to best mimic the levels found in rodent whole prey food sources.
Toxicity is possible in theory as it is with any species including our own if the levels provided are high enough and used over a prolonged period. EvoRx® has been designed to supply for life safety and in a wild-like way.
How is EvoRx a natural product?
EvoRx® has been designed to be nutritionally complete for captive snakes. EvoRx® is made without the addition of artificial colours and preservatives. EvoRx® is made from a whole animal protein source and is standardised within its nutritional content and weight to create a highly palatable, easy-to-feed food source. Although EvoRx® undergoes a handful of mechanical processes, it is not an ultra-processed food, that being one food changed from its original source or synthesised. Therefore, EvoRx® is made from a natural whole prey source and is then crafted into usable portions.
What is a Calcium Soak and why do you use it?
Within the ingredients for EvoRx® you will see the 4th primary ingredient is – Calcium Chloride Dihydrate. This form of Calcium is based into suspension as a liquid soak. This soak is the final stage of preparation before freezing, EvoRx® is soaked in this solution as it works with the collagen casing to increase usable calcium and to slightly add rigidity to the natural casing used. This key process allows snakes to easily strike, hold and then digest the food without detriment to the teeth, but without splitting the collagen casing. Moreover, this simple process adds to the level of usable calcium within the product.
EvoRx and medication
EvoRx® allows the easy administration of oral medications for your animals when needed under vet advice. Simply add the dosage of medication required to the feeding parcel and allow your snake eat as normal.
What is the difference between Dry matter and As fed values?
There are two ways that laboratories show nutritional values, these are known as being ‘as fed’ which includes water or moisture and as ‘dry matter’ when a food is measured as ‘dry matter’ all of the moisture is removed before any testing is undertaken, with the water removed this concentrates the % of nutrients found, as water is removed from the equation therefore ‘dry matter’ values as stated by any laboratory are always much higher than as fed. In terms of EvoRx® the nutrient profile that really matters is the ‘as fed’ because this is the level of nutrients that your animal will receive through the feed. We decided to show both ‘as fed’ and ‘dry matter’ on our packaging simply because different countries and different brands can show ‘as fed’ or ‘dry matter’ quite legally. We decided it would be fair to show both. As an example in relation to EvoRx® being fed to your animal the level of protein being fed would be 16.6% of the mass of that feed, not 56.85% which is the ‘dry matter’ value.
One of the issues found within the legally required listing of proteins fats and oils in particular these values only demonstrate the total quantity of proteins fats and oils found in that test but does not denote their nutrient profile. As an example you could have one food source that shows a test with a low fat content but these fats being mostly saturated, and another test being conducted on a separate food with a higher fat content but these fats being unsaturated fats (omegas etc) which are highly usable to the body and do not easily turn into problematic fats through the fat to glucose conversion. Please see the section regarding amino profile and fats.
What is the difference between Saturated and Unsaturated fats?
We found a short Ted Ed video which explains some of the different types of fats in an engaging way, please see video below:
Does our food contain growth hormones?
No. EvoRx® is created from whole prey UK-sourced Chicken that has been raised under a DEFRA license. Referencing ‘The Meat and Meat Products (Hormonal Substances) Regulations 1989’ (UK legislation), Section 3 paragraph (1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, no person shall sell for human or animal consumption any meat (whether or not mixed with other food) derived from an animal to which has been administered any hormonal substance.
Nutritional additives and how they are used?
EvoRx uses vet-accepted liquid nutritional additives to help balance vitamins and some minerals within the formulation. When looking at nutritional additives you will see that a vitamin or mineral is listed with a value beside it as an example Vitamin A (Retinol) is included in EvoRx at 6000iu/Kg this does not mean that there are 6000 international units of vitamin A in each feeding parcel, as per legislation foods show nutritional additives per kilo of final product, this is common for all food types for humans and animals (excluding vitamin tablets) therefore there is 6000 international units per kilogram of finished product.
We have added these vitamins and minerals back into the final formulation so that each feeding parcel better represents the levels found within other whole animal prey sources. See EvoRx – what exactly is it and how is it made? This is not an ultra-processed food. For more information on this topic.
Setting a New Standard in Colubrid Nutrition
EvoRx® is the future of snake feeding, solving decades-long challenges with reptile nutrition. Designed for Corn Snakes, Hognoses, King Snakes, Rat snakes, Milk Snakes, Carpet Pythons, Many Boas + Omnivorous Lizards. EvoRx® ensures a balanced, high welfare feeding solution for modern, responsible reptile keeping.
Whether you are a seasoned keeper or new to reptile care, EvoRx® offers an evolutionary leap forward providing a feeding solution that aligns with natural
snake behaviour, high welfare standards, and practical ease of use.
EvoRx® Snake feeding without compromise.
EvoRx® is intended for reptile use only. No medical claims are made or implied. All trademarks are the property of Arcadia Reptile reproduction without written permission is prohibited