What goes down with killing and constricting?

So the other day I watched a video on youtube of a BP killing and constricting a fat mouse. The thing that made my stomach turn and question if I could do this is when the BP caught the mouse and constricted it blood came out of the nose and mouth. I was wondering if this is normal? If it is I don't think I can feed live, like I wanted to. Also, is it normal for the mouse/rat to scream when being attacked (stupid question but I need to be sure).

My moms friend had a boa when they were younger and she said she never remembers blood when feeding the snake.

I've never seen blood come out before, but I can see how it could happen. It certainly isn't "normal"

As for the rodent screaming, it really depends on the rodent, some do some don't

I really suggest that you buy frozen, it costs less and it seems at least to me to be "easier".

I want to buy frozen but I can't put it in the freezer. That is the only problem. lol I live with my whole family still and they can't stand the thought of a dead animal in the freezer. I might be able to get a separate freezer but I do not know where I would put it. That's another problem.

Plus, in my mind I think it's beneficial for the snake to have a hunt and live kill. So I can tough out whatever comes with the snake killing the rodent.

I only feed live and yes occasionally there will be blood out of the mouth, and occasionally there will be squealing. But most of the time there won't be blood. And the squealing when it does happen doesn't last long.

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Originally Posted by AmysAnimals

I want to buy frozen but I can't put it in the freezer. That is the only problem. lol I live with my whole family still and they can't stand the thought of a dead animal in the freezer. I might be able to get a separate freezer but I do not know where I would put it. That's another problem.

Plus, in my mind I think it's beneficial for the snake to have a hunt and live kill. So I can tough out whatever comes with the snake killing the rodent.

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I use to have the same mindset as well, but then one of my snakes got a nasty bite from a rodent (I was watching it, I just couldn't stop it in time) after that feeding day was nerve racking and eventually I just decided that the benefits (if any) of feeding live were outweighed by the safety factor of frozen.

I can understand your freezer problem, but there may be another option. Most of the local reptile shops I've been to that sell rodents will humanly kill the rodents for you. I did this for awhile and it worked out great.

I have seen the blood from the face before, and I am not a huge fan of the eyes bulging from the pressure. Depending on how the snake grabs it and the individual rodent's reaction, some will scream and some wont. Most of the time when I hear a scream its more of a quick short burst, but if the snake has a bad grab it can last longer.

If these are things you are uncomfortable with, and you can get your snake to take frozen, this will be a much easier option for you :) another thing to keep in mind too, while feeding live is you need to be there to help your snake out to avoid injuries. Its rarely an issue, and I have been amazed with how snakes can flex their body with teeth on them to avoid being punctured, but you need to be willing and able to step in and physically adjust that squealing rodent if it happens to grab your snake.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I use to have the same mindset as well, but then one of my snakes got a nasty bite from a rodent (I was watching it, I just couldn't stop it in time) after that feeding day was nerve racking and eventually I just decided that the benefits (if any) of feeding live were outweighed by the safety factor of frozen.

I can understand your freezer problem, but there may be another option. Most of the local reptile shops I've been to that sell rodents will humanly kill the rodents for you. I did this for awhile and it worked out great.

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It will be a little awkward asking my reptile shop that but I will. lol The only thing is I don't want to have to go back every single week. The only GOOD reptile shop is about 20-30 minutes away and I don't want to have to drive all that way for one rodent, when I can get 5 and last five weeks alive. This is complicated. hmmm I don't want the snake getting bitten but I know I will keep my eyes wide when feeding, but those rats can be quick when biting. =( I'll see what I can do.

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

I have seen the blood from the face before, and I am not a huge fan of the eyes bulging from the pressure. Depending on how the snake grabs it and the individual rodent's reaction, some will scream and some wont. Most of the time when I hear a scream its more of a quick short burst, but if the snake has a bad grab it can last longer.

If these are things you are uncomfortable with, and you can get your snake to take frozen, this will be a much easier option for you :) another thing to keep in mind too, while feeding live is you need to be there to help your snake out to avoid injuries. Its rarely an issue, and I have been amazed with how snakes can flex their body with teeth on them to avoid being punctured, but you need to be willing and able to step in and physically adjust that squealing rodent if it happens to grab your snake.

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I would definitely be attentive and ready to take action if something were to go wrong with live feeding. I know that I wouldn't want anything to happen to my snake.