First Live Feed...

[AzureN1ght]

Well, Auryn and I had run out of options. I refuse to feed the so-called "adult" frozen mice PetCo has--they were TINY, sickly-looking things and I couldn't feed them to Auryn again. I was working out a F/T order with Miss K, but she's had a hugely busy last week or so. So, I tried at feed stores, asked PetCo if they kept larger frozen mice out back that they used for their reptiles--but nothing.

So, in lieu of setting up an order with someone like Big Cheese Rodents, I picked up a pair of male mice from PetCo. I've never fed live before and wasn't even sure Auryn would want them...it's been a week and a half since his last feeding, but he hasn't had live mice since he was a little BP.

I was also apprehensive about feeding them--I had mice as pets in the past and I've got a bleeding heart for all things cute and fuzzy. I've actually never seen Auryn get as excited about prey as he was about these mice--and both of them met swift ends. I was expecting a much longer death for them, and was VERY happy when the gasping only lasted 15-20 seconds or so...

That being said, I'm going to place an order this week and hopefully Auryn and I will have F/T prey items again soon. He may have enjoyed his brief hunt, but his mom didn't That and -holy cow- are mice expensive. $2.29 apiece--and they weren't all that big--juvenile mice at best.

So, I made it through emotionally intact and Auryn has a full belly. I guess all is right with the world.

[bearhart]

Good to hear things went well!

I have noticed that the smaller the prey the quicker the end - by a large amount. In fact, in his last feed, Snakey managed to deliver an instant fatality to the smaller of the two mice. I did not witness this directly, but I have watched him eat many many times and I know how long each part takes.

I was on the phone and had to take a number down. I dropped the mouse into the feeding tub and went to get a pen. By the time I was to the door I heard a squeek. I went directly to get a pen and returned to the room to begin taking the number. When I got there he was already starting to swallow. Based on the time I was gone there is simply no other explanation - the mouse died instantly.

I'm not squeemish about it but when the struggle goes into the 30 sec range I start to feel too sorry for the mouse. Anyway, something to keep in mind if you ever have to feed live again.