It seemed so wrong, but felt so right...

Im sorry but I found this post rather disturbing. Telling people how you crush these mice seems very cold. I have a couple live feeders and I feel bad about the mouse squeeling becuase I have it held by tongs. But if I dont hold it that way the snake could miss and get me. I couldnt put it through the pain of crushing its feet and face. If you are worried you can just stun them. Im sure thats less painful then having your feet crushed one by one.
I agree that f/t is better but thats personal choice, if one must feed live at least treat the mouse humanely.

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Originally Posted by Chocolate Muffin's

Amen!!!!!!!! I am in 100% agreement. Live rodents can and will harm snakes if they are unattended.

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Key word: Unattended- But you didn't leave them unattended.
But anyway my guys have been eating f/t from when they were babys, and they still have a EXTREMELY strong feeding response how do i do this you ask? Well after the snake strikes and is constricting the dead rodent i tug on its tail and feet to simulate resistance, and use the BACK of the foot, not the part with nails to kick gently at the snake. Actually i was trying to prove this point to my brother last week- fed one live, one f/t... Presented room, got the SAME response. To the op- go back to ft, try this and i guarantee with doing this and making the rat 'dance' by grabbing it by the surf of the neck and making it move, you will still have aggressive feeders, with the safety of f/t. It is safer for the snakes and i think what you did (if if ever did that to a living creature i would keep it to myself not boast about it) was unnecessary and cruel. Trust me if its attended , then your snakes will not get hurt and there are other methods that cause a lot less pain to the rodent that can be used. There are lots of people on youtube that cause the rodent extra suffering, and its a living thing needed to be treated with respect, and we dont need more. I understand that you were worried and it was your first time, but Please, for the rodents sake dont let it happen again.
Well that was the longest post i ever mad on this forum... hope it was worth it.

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Originally Posted by kryptonian

im sorry but i found this post rather disturbing. Telling people how you crush these mice seems very cold. I have a couple live feeders and i feel bad about the mouse squeeling becuase i have it held by tongs. But if i dont hold it that way the snake could miss and get me. I couldnt put it through the pain of crushing its feet and face. If you are worried you can just stun them. Im sure thats less painful then having your feet crushed one by one.
I agree that f/t is better but thats personal choice, if one must feed live at least treat the mouse humanely.

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x2

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Originally Posted by rabernet

... I just think you were especially nervous and probably participated more than was necessary. :)

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Agree!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

For what it's worth, I only feed f/t to my kingsnakes. All my ball pythons (50+) are fed live. In over 4000 live feedings, I've never intervened with the prey and my snakes - from hatchlings taking their first meal to adults. Claws on the rat aren't going to harm your snake. I've had probably 5 minor nicks from teeth in over 4000 feedings that you had to really look for.

Both of your kiddos probably would have been just fine without any intervention on your part, especially since you pre-scented and got them primed to feed.

I have no issues with you feeding live, since that's what I do. I just think you were especially nervous and probably participated more than was necessary. :)

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Well said!!

I would like to add please don't be delusional about how the snakes kill the rodents. It is NOT a gental painless thing.....at least not with mine. They don't just "instantly" suffocate them and the mouse doesn't feel any pain.

Also I wonder how some of the companies that you buy these Frozen mice and rats kill them. Do you really think they all use CO2...really??

I am not trying to start any fights..just pointing out some of the things that are obvious to me. I really think ok ok ok already...geez can you kick cho cho some more.:tears: For the love of god...it was his first time and he panicked. We have all ...EACH of us in our life did things that we are not proud of. I am sure YOU ALL are not without making mistakes. He did the only thing he could think of to protect his snakes. And BPnet is one of the best most supportive websites I have been on. Can ya all just put away your mouse claws stop yelling at him and maybe someone teach him what to do next time. Good grief

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Originally Posted by Chocolate Muffin's

There are clearly better ways, I know now, but the better part of me still feels a sense of relief that my snakes were unharmed. I share the opinion that these rodents should be treated with respect, but unfortunately the impassioned response by some members is not going to change my view that my animal’s safety are of paramount importance to me.

Apparently to some members, I am a cruel, violent, MS that maims and tortures the innocently befallen rodents that stray my path…..

Oh well, can't peoples mind about that.

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Do not take my posts for more than what they are, just my opinion on how the posted situation occured. I do not think your cruel or violent etc. I'm just glad that you realize that there are better ways. Thats what these forums are for. :D

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Originally Posted by BPelizabeth

Also I wonder how some of the companies that you buy these Frozen mice and rats kill them. Do you really think they all use CO2...really??

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What other method do you think they use? I haven't heard of any other method.

Just Sticking them in the freezer

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Originally Posted by reptidude1

Just Sticking them in the freezer

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Ah yes. Where is my brain tonight.

I have heard of that. but I don't know if companies do that. Humane or not is a discussion for another (surely, already existing) thread :)

I think I can understand the desire to allow a snake to feed live even though it's established itself on f/t rodents just to satisfy a personal curiosity. However, I cannot wrap my head around how someone can deliberately crush heads and feet to prevent the possibility that a tooth or nail might mar the snake. To crush the skull or extremities of a still living, breathing animal in an attempt to calm it down? That's entirely cruel and inhumane. :(

I have no qualms about feeding live animals to snakes provided the feeding is supervised and the rodent is removed if the snake isn't interested. I prefer feeding freshly killed rodents to my own snakes because I don't like having a freezer full of rats and mice and I also don't want to risk a well-placed rat bite injuring or scarring any of my snakes. When I kill rodents, I believe it's relatively quick and painless for them. To mutilate or maim them prior to offering them to a snake only increases already heightened stress levels and then leaves them in far more pain than necessary and I honestly don't know how someone could bring themselves to doing that to a living animal whether it's intended to be eaten or not. I'll get off my soapbox now....