Just wanted to say...

[oxsherxo88]

I was thinking alot after reading some of the threads and felt that I really had to give my respect to those who care for their animals properly. Snakes are not cheap creatures to throw in a tank with a hide and water bowl. *****here comes the rant*** I was really disturbed by some posts(not mentioning names) and realized how good some people are to be more concerned with doing things the right way (humanly putting down) then how much it may cost. When you purcase an animal weather its a snake or feeder, you should care and have respect for the fact that it is a life and not just an investment. On a recent post I read of a man buying a pregnant rat and nursing it back to health. This really made me have confidence that there are people out there who realize that even feeders have feelings. Mostly I just wanted to post this thread to give a thumbs up to all those people out there busting there butts for the love of their pets:-)

[frankykeno]

LOL actually me (Jo) is Joanna (female) but thank you for the kind thoughts. That female rat btw is doing very well now, 6 of her 12 young are surviving and being nursed by a foster female while the sickly female recovers her strength. I just could not leave any creature due to deliver young in a situation like that.

I do completely agree with you and it is a major issue for me that even breeder/feeder prey animals need to be given as much respect, good care, proper husbandry and humane handling as the snakes they are intended to feed. Without a top quality prey animal the snakes we are dedicated to will not thrive as best they can, as well the rats quite simply deserve a decent existance in and of itself.

We are blessed to have many folks here that are truly and seriously dedicated to the absolute wellbeing of the creatures they personally own as well as the ones they wish to own one day. Mike and I credit much of our enjoyment of this hobby and the good health of our snakes (and their feeder prey) to the wonderful advice and support we find here.

~~Jo~~

[Shelby]

Amen sista.

I find myself thinking that snakes are inexpensive but then realise I've spent over 2K just on housing for the snakes.. not to mention about $50 a month taking care of the rats.

They are so worth it! I too am glad that the vast majority here takes excellent care of their charges.

[wolfy-hound]

I have to admit I take better care of my feeder rats than a lot of people do their housedogs. The feeders even get toys, special treats of food, and I clean their cage religiously anytime it get smelly or once a week, whichever comes first. The snakes are cleaned reguarly and my poor little Hepburn has another appointment at the vet college to be seen and have blood taken.
Side note: I honestly believe there are several reasons to take really great care of your feeder rats.
1. Bored rats destroy stuff, including waterers, caging,each other, etc. Give them things to do, hide the food in cardboard tubes, toys to drag about, and they won't be as bored.
2. Clean rats with good wholesome food are healthy rats. Healthy feeders gain weight better and have less disease, which means a better meal for your snake.
3. Stressed rats will not gain weight and are more disposed to cannabalize each other. Better weight feeders and none lost due to being eaten alive by their cagemates saves money.
4. It is only humane to give them a happy interesting environment while you have them. Any animal I keep is treated as good as I possibly can, as I believ it is my responsibility to that animal to provide properly for it. Rats really are intelligent social critters and make wonderful pets. I play with mine a lot. I still don't feel 'bad' for them when they get eaten, they generally have a swift death and did have a great time up until that death. The ones I buy as adults, you can SEE the difference in their behavior by the time they have been around a week or so.
Recently I had a friend pay me one of the highest compliments ever. He said "If reincarnation is real, then I want to come back as one of your feeder rats. One, I'd have a GREAT time playing and eating all the time, and two, I'd get to move on to a new body pretty quickly as soon as I got eaten." I had to laugh.
Sorry for the length. I need more cold medicine. Plague monkeys.
Wolfy

[frankykeno]

Length isn't a problem when the content is that good Wolfy! That's a lovely post and a good message. I'm very proud that this community in general are responsible caretakers of all creatures....both for the obvious moral reasons but as well because it's just sensible from a cost effective point of view as well as effects on the predator eating that prey source. As my husband recently put it..."if you eat McDonald's once in awhile fine...but you eat junk for 20 years, it's just got to have an affect". Healthy prey = healthy snakes.



~~Jo~~

[cassandra]

Nice post, Wolfy! I'd like to add a point 5...

5. Rats are really cool animals in and of themselves. Snake keepers who breed rats for snake food are lucky because they get 2 species of neat animals to have around and care for. =)

[Shelby]

I agree there, cassandra. I like my rats. It's fun and interesting to see the different colors, patterns, coat and ear types that are born.

[oxsherxo88]

So after all this Rat talk I went and got two of my own!!! SOOO CUTE!

[4theSNAKElady]

Here Here! I have (six now) pet rats that produce food for my snakes, and treat them better than probably a lot of people treat their dogs.....They get toys and treats, plus table leftovers- the other night they got a piece of steak my boyfriend couldn't eat- and occasional baths. I have a few harnessed trained and use them in educational presentations, as they alone make great pets....smart, friendly, and trainable!!! Go Scabbers,Sirius,Mrs. P and Punkin!!!!!

[frankykeno]

Have to agree. I was in the pet store the other day and a lady was looking at various rodent type pets for her daughter who was around 10. I recommended they consider a rat and quickly went over the advantages compared to other rodents (one is harness/leash training and that's fun for a kid, they are also much sturdier for small squeezy hands). I believe they were eyeing some lovely young male rats (I personally think they make the best lap pets) when I left the store - course I mentioned it's best to get a pair of same sex ones so they can have a cage buddy.

Good creatures...interesting...good breeders & feeders...nice pets...easy care for a rodent...not much smell...not prone to cannabalism by adults on the young....turn feed + kitchen waste foods into fat feeders....sure beats mice LOL (but then I'm the acknowledged world's worst mouse breeder!)


~~Jo~~