I need some moral support here people

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

Feeding live rodents to snakes is something that should be considered prior to getting a Ball Python. Many BP's will never eat FT or even prekilled. The reality is it is unnatural for them. They have heat receptors to measure body heat of their prey even in the blackest of darkness. Some can be condition to eat them but that is usually an established snake with a good feeding response. I prefer live because I can analyze the health of the rodent and I know it is fresh. My concern with frozen is I have no idea if the thing was healthy? how it died? and if there has been any decaying, maggots? prior to packaging, all very scary.

We live in a world where our meat comes packaged nicely in plastic, well folks just because we didn't kill it doesn't mean it didn't die for our consumption. We can eat millions of things other than meat, snakes only eat one thing, rodents, and if was running through your kitchen cabinets you probably wouldn't have any problem killing it. But put it in a cage and everyone gets all emotional.

Thats my take on it.

My wife doesnt like to watch the rodents die and I can appreciate that. I dont enjoy it but I look at it like farming. If I raised chickens or pigs(for consumption) I would have to kill them when it is time to sell the meat. You have to shut off the emotions and turn up the logic, its just the way it is and someones gotta do it.

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This is pretty much what I was trying to get across right here, I just didn't say it as nicely. It all boils down to, moral support shouldn't be a problem here, because when you purchase a snake, you KNOW it eats rodents.

So I'm not sure why I'm being ragged on, I'm just telling it like it is.

Seriously.. What about Chickens with Fingers...

:weirdface

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

Seriously.. What about Chickens with Fingers...

:weirdface

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You've never seen a chicken with fingers? Psssh...

You've never seen foghorn leghorn? There's a chicken with fingers..

I love my rodents as much as I love my snakes, but it's just nature that the snakes eat the rodents, and the rodents I breed wouldn't even get to exist if they weren't being bred for the snakes.

I give the rodents a good life right up until the end, and eat meat myself, so I've gotten over feeling bad about feedings.

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Originally Posted by Skoalbasher

This is pretty much what I was trying to get across right here, I just didn't say it as nicely. It all boils down to, moral support shouldn't be a problem here, because when you purchase a snake, you KNOW it eats rodents.

So I'm not sure why I'm being ragged on, I'm just telling it like it is.

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I'm sorry you are feeling "ragged" upon. What I thought we were doing was discussing varying views on live feeding and what goes into it in order to help another member feel better about having to live feed.

When a person purchases a snake, they know it eats rodents. What they may not be aware of is that some snakes won't eat anything but a live rodent. There's a distinct difference there for some new keepers and their comfort level with live feeding. If they need moral support and information that part of why this site exists.

We're just telling it like it is too. :)

I am the OWNER of the snake we are discussing. I felt like I did an appropriate amount of research before purchasing a snake, and during that research I was told that almost every snake will eat F/T, and that the snake I was buying had been eating F/T pinkies. I thought I would be able to continue the F/T routine, but it doesn't seem to be working.

I know now that these aren't very reliable facts, and I am a little bit of a sucker for listening to Petco employees (no offense to any members who work there).

On another thread the general feeling I got was that feeding live would trigger the instinct to feed, and if that is the best way to get some food in him then I will do what has to be done. I'm not one of those "shock value" youtube video posting snake keepers. I am a logical, food-chain thinking person. I am also a responsible pet keeper, and want to do what is in the best interest of my snake. I have no idea when the last time he was fed, and most young BPs I see have more girth than mine does. It is time for him to get some food, and I think trying live is going to work.

I know Jen feels very sorry for the mouse, and I can understand it. However, she also cares about the snake, and is smart enough to know that even though it may not be the perfect situation it has to be done. I plan on attempting to feed tonight while she is at work.

P.S.
I'm hanging out at work today with a mouse, because she doesn't want to see it/spend time with it before we try to feed it to the snake. The mouse is keeping me company :D

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Originally Posted by sneakerpro

I am the OWNER of the snake we are discussing. I felt like I did an appropriate amount of research before purchasing a snake, and during that research I was told that almost every snake will eat F/T, and that the snake I was buying had been eating F/T pinkies. I thought I would be able to continue the F/T routine, but it doesn't seem to be working.

I know now that these aren't very reliable facts, and I am a little bit of a sucker for listening to Petco employees (no offense to any members who work there).

On another thread the general feeling I got was that feeding live would trigger the instinct to feed, and if that is the best way to get some food in him then I will do what has to be done. I'm not one of those "shock value" youtube video posting snake keepers. I am a logical, food-chain thinking person. I am also a responsible pet keeper, and want to do what is in the best interest of my snake. I have no idea when the last time he was fed, and most young BPs I see have more girth than mine does. It is time for him to get some food, and I think trying live is going to work.

I know Jen feels very sorry for the mouse, and I can understand it. However, she also cares about the snake, and is smart enough to know that even though it may not be the perfect situation it has to be done. I plan on attempting to feed tonight while she is at work.

P.S.
I'm hanging out at work today with a mouse, because she doesn't want to see it/spend time with it before we try to feed it to the snake. The mouse is keeping me company :D

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Good luck with the feed man, I hope everything works out well for you and your BP begins to thrive.

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Good luck with the feed man, I hope everything works out well for you and your BP begins to thrive.

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Hey, thanks man. I appreciate the all the WONDERFUL SUPPORT from you :D

I couldn't resist.

But seriously, thanks to everyone for all the different views that were discussed here. As always, it was very helpful. I'm excited to attempt another feeding and post tomorrow about all the SUCCESS I had!

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Originally Posted by b8byjenny

After many unsuccessful weeks of offering F/T to our baby BP my boyfriend has decided to try live next. I am VERY sad about this being as I'm normally the girl buying up all of the "feeder mice" at the pet stores to "save them." :tears:

So I'm needing lots of comments about how it really isn't cruel, and they really don't suffer, and its nature taking its course, and our little one really needs to eat, and and and....

I just feel so bad for the poor little mouse :snake:

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I very much like you feel extremely bad for these mice that are being sacrificed for the good of your snake. I still very much withdrawn and upset about this, but my baby bp was not eating for several reasons. I bought him from a very very horrible reptile store where I'm still dealing with the problem. I bought two snakes from there and one turned out to be sick. I feared that my other one would be as well. He had to have antibotics (liquid) flush into his stomach because it was believed he might have parasites living in his tummy. I feared he wouldn't eat because he refused to eat a few times. When your faced with your snake not feeding you fear losing your snake. Mine finally ate for the first time and it was a little mortifying but it was better than my snake dieing. If your still a little unsure if you want to feed your snake do what I planned to do and have your boyfriend/husband do it. Then you dont have to see it take place.:spid0r::spid0r:

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Originally Posted by sneakerpro

I am the OWNER of the snake we are discussing. I felt like I did an appropriate amount of research before purchasing a snake, and during that research I was told that almost every snake will eat F/T, and that the snake I was buying had been eating F/T pinkies. I thought I would be able to continue the F/T routine, but it doesn't seem to be working.

I know now that these aren't very reliable facts, and I am a little bit of a sucker for listening to Petco employees (no offense to any members who work there).

On another thread the general feeling I got was that feeding live would trigger the instinct to feed, and if that is the best way to get some food in him then I will do what has to be done. I'm not one of those "shock value" youtube video posting snake keepers. I am a logical, food-chain thinking person. I am also a responsible pet keeper, and want to do what is in the best interest of my snake. I have no idea when the last time he was fed, and most young BPs I see have more girth than mine does. It is time for him to get some food, and I think trying live is going to work.

I know Jen feels very sorry for the mouse, and I can understand it. However, she also cares about the snake, and is smart enough to know that even though it may not be the perfect situation it has to be done. I plan on attempting to feed tonight while she is at work.

P.S.
I'm hanging out at work today with a mouse, because she doesn't want to see it/spend time with it before we try to feed it to the snake. The mouse is keeping me company :D

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The more time you spend with an animal the more attached you will be. The less time you spend with something the easier it is to let go.