Live vs. frozen

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Originally Posted by treeboa

You say you've never had a problem, but then say a bite or two is fine as long as the snake doesn't get eaten. I don't agree. I think it is a problem and is the very reason for my opinion. I will never have to treat a bite from a f/t rodent.

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There is a difference between a bite and a puncture;) Yes I have had some of my rats bite me and not break skin. That being said, A snakes skin is its armor against things they come upon in the world. I also know and realize that our animals live an overly pampered life. In the wild they do not get served a dad rodent on a platter, have temps between 88 to 95 degrees and humidity of 70% all the time. I also so DO NOT strive to do what a book or someone else tells me to do.:cool: What works in my house might not work in yours. I will take in the information and my experiment with it a little but my room is set up to my reptiles and I wont change anything because I am not having any problems.
I guess it is best if we agree to disagree:gj:

Didn't ask you to change a thing. The snake in a bag thing from stuff I read by people like Philllipe de Vosjoli and Dave Barker and it was 17 years ago before this all knowing forum (or any other) These guys pioneered most of today's husbandry techniques and have been doing this since the 60's. But you listen to your "experts" on the forum most of whom have probably about 10 years experience or less. You know since Balls became cool and big business. I'm sure you've picked the better way. In my 22 years off keeping Balls and other snakes I've had several rodents break the skin during constriction. I had 2 friends with large pythons (a full grown Retic and an 18 ft Burmese) who had to have dozens of stitches in similar injuries from live rabbits tearing their sides with their back claws during constriction. But this is natural, right, all part of the process. I took in my animals, it's up to me to protect and care for them. If I can prevent them pain and injury, I will. Again, not telling you, or anyone else to change a thing. In turn I will not change my mind that f/t is safer and will not quit recommending it. Yes we will have to agree to disagree.

If you're feeding a live rabbit to anything, it's kind of your own fault your snake got injured IMO...

They're not just going to sit still and be constructed. They're obviously going to bite and fight.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

If you're feeding a live rabbit to anything, it's kind of your own fault your snake got injured IMO...

They're not just going to sit still and be constructed. They're obviously going to bite and fight.

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I agree and that's exactly what I meant! This was 93 and 95 and there were only a couple f/t suppliers around and if I remember right they did not sell rabbits. Still, these two had been told that they should pre-kill the rabbits but scoffed at the thought that a rabbit could hurt a 15ft retic or a 18ft burm. They, also, got a kick out of watching their snakes take down and eat live prey.

I have a Ball that only likes live. I have been trying to get I'm to switch to F/T because I believe it is safer and easier on the caregiver.;) Recently he has been accepting fresh pre-killed but still not F/T. If you feed live you have to watch carefully.

I feed my snakes live because in my opinion f/t is just a waste of money because once u thaw the rodent out that’s it so if you reptile does not eat the rodent you have to throw it away then when u try the next time it’s the same thing you have to go to the store and buy another one and thaw it out which is a waste of money. With live if the snake does not eat the rodent all u you have to do is take it out and put it in another cage and you can try again another day without the hassle of driving to the pet store again and buying another rat and thawing it out. So with live there is no money wasted because you still have a rodent if your snake doesn’t eat the first time offered. Now i breed my own rodents and so it is a little easier for me to just keep the rodent if the snake doesn’t eat it but if u don’t breed them and u buy your rodents a 10 gal fish tank with a lid is all u need to keep them in until it’s time to feed again and u can get them for around $10 at a yard sale or less as long as u keep a close eye on your reptiles when u r feeding you will never have a problem I have over 30 snakes I feed live to and none of them have ever been bit by a rat. So no it’s not true that feeding live means your snake is going to get bit or attacked because you feed it live can it happen yes if you are not a responsible snake owner and just throw a rat in there and walk away and then come back a week later to check on the snake that is the wrong answer so anyone that feeding your snakes live is wrong then they are wrong because in the wild they do not eat f/t rats the eat live prey.

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Originally Posted by treeboa

I agree and that's exactly what I meant! This was 93 and 95 and there were only a couple f/t suppliers around and if I remember right they did not sell rabbits. Still, these two had been told that they should pre-kill the rabbits but scoffed at the thought that a rabbit could hurt a 15ft retic or a 18ft burm. They, also, got a kick out of watching their snakes take down and eat live prey.

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Apply the same responsible feeding techniques as the rodents. Smaller meals more often than larger and less frequent. A snake can handle smaller prey much more easier than a larger one that can fight back. A smaller prey animal won't do as much damage(or any ) as a larger one. Live Adults should be avoided because they are more conscious to danger than juvies and babies.

In the case or Burm and retics, I'd PK or use a FT adult rabbit. Rabbits are known to kill predators and break bones with a well placed back kick. Babies? Not so much. I'll feed a live juvi or kit any time.

For my BPs, I'll continue with live. Just my pref.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by hondaprelude

I have read and it seems like rats are better for the snakes then mice but is it better live then frozen or vice versa. Any input is greatly appreciated.

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I suppose if it wasn't so much fun to argue on the internet, we could just end this thread with: feed them whatever they're happiest with. "Them" being the snakes...

I can't wait until I've been doing this for 22 years so i can know anything and everything.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I can't wait until I've been doing this for 22 years so i can know anything and everything.

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