Is there any truth to this?

[Maverick67]

We recently acquired a 4 ft ball python and the previous owner informed us that she will only eat live. so today my wife went to pick up a couple mice from pet smart and one of the people assisting her said that they inject the mice so if you feed them to a snake it will kill the snake? i personally think the guy was full of it and couldn't find and info to prove or disprove it. My wife didn't let on that the mice where for feeding our new edition either since we have herd rumors that stores can and will refuse to sell you mice if they are aware that you are using them as feeder mice. if anyone can inform me better on the subject it would be appreciated.

[stratus_020202]

I've never heard of it before, but that doesn't mean it's not true. It is true though that some pet store's will refuse to sell rodents for food.

On a side note, I would be feeding a 4 ft bp at least a small rat. I bet it's going to take at least 4 mice to fill him up

[Freakie_frog]

If it'll kill a snake it'll kill a mouse would be my thought..

Find your self a local-ish supplier for Live feeders, you'l save yourself loads of money and the grief of trying to explain why you're in every week buying 3 mice like clock work.

[Maverick67]

from what i have herd from the previous owner she is partially blind and a bit skiddish. he had been having problems feeding with rats and suggested we try mice to at least see if it helps.

[stratus_020202]

Partially blind? That's strange. Poor girl. All ball pythons are a bit skiddish though. Only the ones who are constantly worked with become less head shy. I would try a rat first. They don't see that well anyway, and do most of their hunting by their heat pits. Of course, a small rat or weanling would work best.

I would think it would be less stressful than a bunch of mice.

[Maverick67]

He said she had a couple bad sheds in a row and it messed up her eyes. but i was just reading about bad sheds and if it happens again i think i can start straitening up the eye problem

[stratus_020202]

Oh, so he's probably talking about stuck eye caps. Poor girl. Yeah, definately keep an eye on her humidity and when she goes into shed, bump it up fairly high. Like 70%. Maybe, she'll get those eye caps off. If not, she needs to go to the vet to have them removed.

Do you have any pictures of her? Most of our experienced members can spot a stuck eye cap (or two) and offer the best advice on what to do. Good luck with her!

[Maverick67]

i will take some and post them tonight

[tonkatoyman]

If we knew what state you are in someone here might know a rat breeder in your area.

[Maverick67]

i and in connecticut in the hartford area