Prekilling question

[ru8fru]

Well my female has still not fed for me. I read on another thread that a prekilling mouse and just leaving it in her hide with her and most likely itd be gone by the morning. Well my question is,

a. What would be the best way to prekill it for this purpose? (Even if its gross ill do it, all I can think about is her eating)

b. If I do leave it in there overnight, that wouldnt be enough time for the mouse to start to go bad, and or rot right?

Thanks a bunch!!

[WebbyD]

If its one mouse there are a few ways:

1. CO2 poisoning via dry ice
2. Severing the spinal cord via a pencil, screw driver or other implement pressed against the back of the neck and pulling on the tail in an upward and backward quickly till a snap or pop is heard.
3. Blunt force trauma to head or neck, I'm sure you cam think of a few ways...

[tiny_tiger60978]

The only problem I've ever had with prekilling them and just leaving them in my snake's cage is : if the mouse gets too cold (after being dead for a while) your snake may not be interested in it. I prekill my mice and basically dangle them in the snake cage until my girl strikes. (usually doesn't take long, but they will be more attracted to the movement) If you DO leave it in her cage, I'd maybe recommend leaving it where it might stay warm (thanks to a uth), but not hot enough to cook it (snakes can't digest cooked food/meat).

Hope that helps.

Btw: I use the "blunt trama" method. One good blow to the head/neck so there's no pain (or suffocation like with CO2). Just some advice for that though-don't hesitate. If you do, it will take more than one hit and WILL cause the mice/rats pain, and I think that part would be cruel.

[stevepoppers]

Leaving it overnight shouldn't cause any problems. With some, it's the only way they'll eat.

Can someone tell my why they can't digest cooked meat? Much of the nutrition may be destroyed, but I still see no reason why they wouldn't be able to break it down.

I don't know why people advocate Carbon Dioxide poisoning, as it's basically depriving them of oxygen, which in my experience is very painful. Quickly destroy the brain.

[Quiet Tempest]

I prefer suffocation to whacking.. but to each his own, I guess.

Have you tried leaving a live rat pup in with her overnight? My finickiest of feeders seem to perk right up if I leave some defenseless, live morsel in their tub overnight. Just a thought.

[stevepoppers]

I don't mean to argue too much, but you didn't clearly explain why you prefer suffocation. Of course that's not a problem if you didn't intend to.

[stratus_020202]

I don't mean to argue too much, but you didn't clearly explain why you prefer suffocation. Of course that's not a problem if you didn't intend to.

You would think if it was so painful the rat would be struggling or squeaking. It takes 10 seconds for my rats, and they just fall over. I think it's much less painful than whacking its head, and hoping it works the first time.

Besides, rats have a natural painkiller built into their brains. Much like our adrenaline. It's not any more painful than the bp doing his job. I let my bp do it until they upgrade to a large small rat.

And by suffocation, you don't have to worry about getting blood anywhere. The snake gets it all.

[ru8fru]

Thanks for all the replies! It seems as I am going to have to go with the smashing technique this time till I can invest into co2. I would attempt breaking its back/neck but feel I might mess up in some way. Would sticking it in a sock and just smashing it once on my concrete deck be ok?

[WebbyD]

CO2 or carbon dioxide poisoning simply chokes the animal to death. They loose consciousness prior to death which is why many people think it is more humane. In actuality it is no more humane than leaving them in a plastic bag. The effect is the same, only quicker because CO2 is produced faster with dry ice than with chronic exhalation.

A far more humane method would be CO poisoning, or carbon monoxide. Instead of causing a choking feeling it simply robs the animal of oxygen and puts it to sleep gently. Same process as leaving your car running in the garage with the doors closed.

People often mistake the two, but yea...

[stevepoppers]

Would sticking it in a sock and just smashing it once on my concrete deck be ok?

I think that would be pretty quick and foolproof. A pillow case would give you more force, and less margin for error. Imagine being the mouse in that situation. You'd never even know what was going on.