GAH - rat bite = pierced snake

Hope that heals up nicely for you.
I personnaly do not stun my snakes prey but, i know a couple people who do. they say they just tap them on the side of the tank on the way in. i never seen it done, i tihnk opening the boxs the rat comes in into the tank with a HUNGRY bp looking at them is stunning enough..lol.

If you care about being humane then knock it out with some CO2 or something first. If you don't care about being humane then knock it out with something blunt. With smaller prey you can flick it in the head hard with a finger and that usually works for me.

the people at the a pet shop arund here just bang them against the tanks glass and toss them in. dont think that is a good thing since most are pretty mad once they get their grip on reality back.

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Originally Posted by WTHbbqSnake

With smaller prey you can flick it in the head hard with a finger and that usually works for me.

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If I wanted to get in trouble I'd probably suggest something along the lines of you being "flicked hard in the head" ... but I'll refrain from violating the rules. :carrot:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

If I wanted to get in trouble I'd probably suggest something along the lines of you being "flicked hard in the head" ... but I'll refrain from violating the rules. :carrot:

-adam

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Yea you wouldn't want to sugest bodly harm to anyone.. LOL I mean what would that look like... LOL

:8: :fishslap: :groinkick :rofl: :fork: :bonk: :twisted:

I'm sorry to hear about your snakes injuries...

As far as rodents biting... even a small rat can do some damage to a ball python. I know somebody who lossed a 10ft burmese to a medium rat that bit at the right spot while it was being constricted...Both animals ended up dying.
I hear Mice are especially known for being biters.

I myself try to make sure the rodents are as comfortable as possible before introducing them to my snakes...I typically give them food and water. I also have food waiting for them in the feeding box I use as well...

It's a good thing you were there and watching everything...Just goes to show the importance of watching your feeding from start to finish...

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

even a small rat can do some damage to a ball python.

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I feed hundreds of small rats a week and have been doing so for a lot of years ... I haven't experienced anything like that.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Agreed. Although people with smaller collections might not have the funds to continue to refill a Co2 tank once a month.

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I have a 20oz Co2 bottle.. I feed a collection of over 30 snakes prekilled rats/mice every week. The bottle lasts me several months, and costs a whopping $3 to fill. :)

Also, get an ice chest, put a piece of dry ice in a critter keeper (the ones with the slits for air) and put the rats in the ice chest with the critter keeper. open it back up in 5 minutes and voila, CO2'd rats

also, try searching around for the baking soda/vinegar or whatever it is method.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Agreed. Although people with smaller collections might not have the funds to continue to refill a Co2 tank once a month. I have to do the whack and dangle. I know it sounds rough but I a pretty strong guy and have been able to kill the feeder with-out a second whack. I'm sorry if this is a little graphic. I am investing in a Co2 tank now that my collection has grown.

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This doesn't need to be very costly.

I made one years ago. It worked fine when I had a smaller collection of reptiles.

5 Gallon Plastic Bucket - Price New: $5
a 20oz Co2 Paintball Tank - Price New: $13.00
a Remote Line (coiled hose with valve for the tank) - Price New: $20 to $25

Install the Remote Line into the lid of the 5 gallon bucket. Make a small hole 'exhaust vent' hole that can be covered with your finger. Screw the 20oz tank into the other end of the remote. Place some rats in the 5 gallon bucket and slowly turn the knob on the Remote Line to allow a small amount of Co2 into the bucket while keeping your finger lightly over the exhaust hole. This Co2 will have a narcotic effect on the rats and knock them out. Now turn allow a little more Co2 into the 5 gallon and turn off the Remote Line valve and keep your finger over the exhaust hole. This will remove the air and replace it with Co2. The rats suffocate while unconscious, thus they feel no pain. You can than remove the Co2 tank and remove the 5 gallon bucket lid. It's best to do this is a well ventilated area. (i.e. outdoors)

You can even cut out some fluorescent lighting grate to fit into the bottom of the bucket if you want. This allows any waste to fall down and away from the rats so they they don't need to be cleaned before freezing.

Refills for the 20oz tank is generally just a $2 to $3.

For those interested.. you can find more info on the items listed above by going to Amazon and searching for...

"20 oz Paintball C02 Tank"

and

"Coil Remote W/QD & On-Off"

Rick