Decapitated mouse ):

Got out Aradia's mouse for feeding today, it looked okay. Just went to check on it and it's thawed but there's some blood. Just some bleeding from the ear or whatever, not a big deal. Nope. Opened the baggie it's in and it's 98% decapitated. Only thing holding the head on is some skin and fur near the throat.

It's a good thing I'm not easily grossed out because that was pretty nasty. If anybody really wants a picture I'll take one and upload it but I didn't feel the need to attach one for obvious reasons of gore.

I'm just annoyed because now I have to go out and buy more and this one was so freaking expensive because it's a Petsmart frozen mouse. :rage:

If you thawed it properly it could have fallen apart due to being partially thawed during shipment (ie from the supplier to the Petsmart, etc) - it weakens the flesh when someones goes to thaw it for feeding and falls apart. Probably a good thing you tossed it, I've had feeders' guts fall out after being squeezed by a snake and that's a mess.

Do you have a mice/rat breeder in your area to save you money on feeders?

It looked like a cut from a blade, it was a super clean cut. I haven't found a breeder yet, but I haven't really been looking that hard. I guess this'll jump-start my search for a local breeder since I don't have enough snakes to buy in bulk and shipping always seems to cost as much or more than the feeders themselves. Definitely won't be able to breed feeders myself where I'm living now, even if I do get permission for more snakes.

As for how I thawed, it was about 30 minutes in cool water until squishy all the way through the belly and chest. There weren't any problems with the others in the box which is why I wasn't expecting to find one almost without a head.

i suggest not buying frozen feeders from petsmart. havent really heard too many good things about them and it seems that your experience with them hasnt been positive either. Since you say its a really clean cut, which is odd, i kinda wanna see a pic. Maybe someone was opening a box of them that was partially thawed and the box cutter cut into it?

Yeah I'll definitely be looking into other sources. But it couldn't have happened in the store. Each mouse comes in its own baggie inside of a box so in order to get all the way through to the mouse it would have had to cut through the paper board to the inside. Box cutters are sharp but not that sharp and I definitely would have noticed.

For now Petsmart is my only option, but once I secure a second job and have more money at my disposal I'll be able to order feeders online if not locally.

I already threw out the mouse otherwise I would have taken a picture for you. Suppose I should have done it before hand, but... Oh well. I have to buy more feeders from there tomorrow because I don't have a choice and she's hungry but it'll be the last time buying from there. I was willing to swallow the price because I only have one snake and didn't want to waste feeders if she stopped eating for whatever reason and they eventually went bad, but this is kind of... sickening. Kinda makes you wonder how the feeders are killed and processed, if this is what happened to one. :/

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Originally Posted by Inarikins

For now Petsmart is my only option, but once I secure a second job and have more money at my disposal I'll be able to order feeders online if not locally.

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Finding someone near you who breeds mice/rats is the most cost efficient way to go about it. What you might spend to have shipped to your house for $60 you can find from a local breeder for $20. Give craigslist a shot.

bring it back and get a refund. those artic mice are RIDICULOUSLY expensive

I agree with the not Petsmart mice. I know Petsmart Canada probley uses different suppliers. I purchased a little Normal cornsnake in January, she was on sale and I was given a the staff discount because they gave away a hamster that was being saved for me(It was from an accidental litter in store).
Anyways the little corn went down hill quickly, her first stool was full of worms. Vet bills, dewormings, refusing to eat, assist feedings, scenting rodents and lots of grey hairs. Naos the snake is finally eating on her own and gaining weight 5 months later. I am not 100% sure if she got the worms from the store's stock of mice or if she came infested from the breeder/supplier.
It takes 3 months of freezing to kill worms in rodents.

I would try posting an add online looking for mice, I breed my own mice and I supply a couple local snake owners as well. I don't post mice for sale, but I do respond to want adds. I have even set a couple people up with breeding colonys. It's very hard to find female mice here (well Petland has them for $14 each).
If you have any friends with snakes you could always split an order and have some shipped to you.

i get my mice and rats for around $2.00
and $4.00 for rabbits from a private owned store

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Originally Posted by Highline Reptiles South

bring it back and get a refund. those artic mice are RIDICULOUSLY expensive

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Actually I am sure you could. The last time I bought a rat the rep came up and asked if I needed help. I told her I wasn't too sure about the size. She then said no problem if it turns out to big or something just bring it back. :weirdface I now buy online and haven't had an exploding rodent since when squeezed.