Nervous about feeding live...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NormanSnake

The problem with buying online is the shipping cost, really.

---

Then you buy in bulk. Buy a bag of what your snak is eating now, a bag of the next size up, and the next size, etc.

What is wrong with the Petsmart frozen? I get Arctic Mice there and they seem OK, but I'm no dead mouse expert.

I got a f/t mouse there, thawed it, and it turned out almost completely decapitated. I think I even made a thread about it, though I never took pictures. No, it wasn't a box cutter cutting in. The mouse was in a sealed bag in a perfect box, but the mouse was very nearly headless. That alone has put me off buying frozen feeders from petsmart except in dire need. (Not to mention the cost - $6 for a small rat? I can get two live small rats for that much!)

Try killing the rodent before you offer.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned cervical dislocation. It's pretty simple, especially on a mouse. It's also the preferred method of euthanasia on rodents as it causes the least amount of stress to the animal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Inarikins

If you throw the mouse some food and water before you feed it off, you're less likely to get it biting your snake, especially if the snake is refusing.

---

Bingo. Well cared for rodents are much less likely to even attempt to bite.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by j. cooper

Bingo. Well cared for rodents are much less likely to even attempt to bite.

---

I always buy my live feeders 2 days before and make sure they are well fed and hydrated before I let Petey kill them. The most they have done is gone up smelled petey and backed off. I also know the pet store very well and know they take care of their feeders a lot better than anywhere I have seen.