i would love to get her to f/t because im payin about 6.50 for a small rat right now and shes eating 2 a week.
$6.50? Hmm... are you buying from a store that primarily sells pets? A lot of those places, like PetCo for example, intentionally jack up the price on rats to discourage people buying them as feeders. A local PetSmart in my area charges around $15, and only sells them 8-10 weeks old.
I pay $2 per live rat pup at a local store that stocks mice and rats for the purpose of feeders. I think he only charges $1.25 on mice. Very reasonable prices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew420
thankx for all the help
No prob. I don't think there is a single member who would not be concerned at the health of an innocent little snake and want to help. This is such a great community.
How is the bite wound doing?
For the record (because I didn't mention this in my last message) I do not stun prior to feeding. I briefly considered it before reading some older posts that advised against it. The reasoning is that a stunned/injured animal is more of a threat than a healthy and otherwise unaware one.
Also, stunned animals don't move like healthy ones, so the snake can be confused when it comes to striking. Whereas a healthy mouse/rat may walk in a straight line, the snake will lunge for the head but wind up with the butt when the stunned creature suddenly spins or turns.
Stunned rats/mice also become instantly vicious when they recover from their condition, and if they have not been struck at, can do some damage in their panicked attempt to flee.
On the other hand, when you gently place the mouse/rat into the feeding tub or enclosure, it will go about its regular business of exploring the environment unaware of its prey-status. Because it is clueless, it also has no defence up against the attack. Snakes attack by striking, with surprise and agility - they are not made for rough-and-tumble brawling; it should be a one-hit-hold/kill. A calm, unaware and defenceless morsel is what actually gives the snake the most advantage.
This isn't to suggest that feeding mishaps can never occure, but there are members who've literally fed thousands of live unstunned rats to their snakes with no issues. So... I chose to trust in Salzedo and Mother Nature until the blessed day I switch him to F/T. hehe
Happy holidays.
12-22-2007, 12:06 PM
Drew87
Re: got bit
The bite is lookin good not even as bad as i thought she jumps alittle when i touch it but like i said no blood or anything and im going to start not stunnin them i know she can take it down herself but this time she was shedding and she prob couldnt see well but i wanted to feed her before she got deep into the shed so i think she couldnt see well bit it in the butt then wrapped it up and the head was free and was able to bite one of her coils but she seems fine she was very active last night for having a full belly :D
12-22-2007, 09:04 PM
dr del
Re: got bit
Hi,
Quote:
Originally Posted by patthesnakeman
They wack Chickens a couple of times before butchery, same with hogs and cows,
Actually if they tried that over here they'd get arrested. :D
The animal welfare people over here know regrettably little about reptiles or other exotics but anyone attempting to stun,whack or otherwise pacify any form of mammal won't be keeping any animals at all for several years once the court case is over.
dr del
12-22-2007, 09:54 PM
Jophis82
Re: got bit
Well I am glad to hear that your snake is doing good. I'm sad though I think my snake has RI.
12-23-2007, 04:05 PM
Drew87
Re: got bit
wow im sorry i hope they pull threw
12-26-2007, 01:59 PM
drugaria
Re: got bit
apply some 3ple antybiotic on the wound just in case
12-26-2007, 02:11 PM
Drew87
Re: got bit
thankx ill do that
12-26-2007, 07:53 PM
bender29
Re: got bit
Quote:
Originally Posted by drugaria
apply some 3ple antybiotic on the wound just in case
What is 3ple antibiotic? And where can you get it?