How to Cull baby snake?

My Kenyan Sand Boa just gave birth to 9 babies, but one of them has a bad spine kink where the body goes completely flat in one area and does a complete u-turn. Will this solve itself, or should I cull the baby? And how do I cull it? I cull mice all the time to feed my snakes (I breed my own food) but I've never had to cull a snake before. There is surprisingly little information on it. Any help is appreciated!

I have thankfully never had to do that before, but I know several breeders that put them in the freezer. I do not know if that is the best way, but it does work. Sorry, good luck!

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Doc...euthanasia.pdf - pg 78, slow freezing is not recommended for euthanizing reptiles or amphibians unless they have first been anesthetized.

Pithing the brain with a knife is instantaneous but many people can't bring themselves to do it.

OP I'm so sorry. :(

The only humane method for snakes you can do at home is instantaneous brain destruction(Crushing or destroying brain tissue ).
And while it is not pretty, smashing, crushing, or chopping the head itself is the most effective way to euthanize a snake yourself.



Cutting off the head is inhumane because the head is still alive and can feel pain.

Freezing is one of the most inhumane methods to euthanize a snake or any thing for the matter. Freezing is highly painful. It can take hours for a snake to freeze to death. Because they are cold blooded, reptiles do not loose consciousness like mammals do when freezing. And contrary to many beliefs, they do not go into hibernation. Its also said they can feel their cells freeze and burst. Putting a hand in ice water for 30 seconds hurts us already. I can't imagine doing that for hours.....

Freezing is an accepted old school method that many breeders have been using for generations. Modern science has shown that it is not a humane, painless, or quick method and should not be used to euthanize reptiles. Unfortunately, many people are still ignorant of this.



While CO2 and cervical dislocation works great for rodents, it doesn't for reptiles.

Co2 is not a good way to euthanize reptiles. Since they have a slow respiratory rate and metabolism, it would take a very long long time for them to die. And reptiles go through periods of apnea, meaning that they don't have a constant breathing rate. Quite agonizing really. Some may not even die because the person doesn't leave them in the Co2 chamber long enough. It takes a mouse roughly 2 minutes to die in a Co2 chamber. I can guarantee it won't take 2 minutes for a snake to die. Overall, not a very effective, efficient, or humane method.

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Best way?

Ziplock bag, paper towel, hammer and a sharpie.

-Draw on the napkin a close rendition of the snakes head.

-Gently place the snake in the ziplock back, with its head in the corner of the bag.

-Place the bag somewhere that can withstand a sharp blow of a hammer.

-Carefully place the rendering on the napkin above the snakes head, and gently press around the sides to make sure it is lined up.

-Once everything is lined up and in place, swiftly strike the cartoon drawing of the snakes head with the hammer, and dispose of the whole contraption.

;)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Best way?

Ziplock bag, paper towel, hammer and a sharpie.

-Draw on the napkin a close rendition of the snakes head.

-Gently place the snake in the ziplock back, with its head in the corner of the bag.

-Place the bag somewhere that can withstand a sharp blow of a hammer.

-Carefully place the rendering on the napkin above the snakes head, and gently press around the sides to make sure it is lined up.

-Once everything is lined up and in place, swiftly strike the cartoon drawing of the snakes head with the hammer, and dispose of the whole contraption.

;)


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Very brutal sounding but it is the most humane method to cause the least amount of suffering for the snake. It is hard to do but this is something everyone needs to think about before breeding any animal. Things do not always go as planned so we must be able to step up to the plate and do what is right for the animals when the time comes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Best way?

Ziplock bag, paper towel, hammer and a sharpie.

-Draw on the napkin a close rendition of the snakes head.

-Gently place the snake in the ziplock back, with its head in the corner of the bag.

-Place the bag somewhere that can withstand a sharp blow of a hammer.

-Carefully place the rendering on the napkin above the snakes head, and gently press around the sides to make sure it is lined up.

-Once everything is lined up and in place, swiftly strike the cartoon drawing of the snakes head with the hammer, and dispose of the whole contraption.

;)


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The napkin sounds silly but I'm glad I read this. The plastic bag and the napkin were 2 elements that I had not considered previously that make this much more manageable from an emotional standpoint.



...and to the OP: don't listen to any advice here that doesn't involve destroying the brain as quickly and immediately as possible. Please note that this doesn't include decapitation - which is proven to be inhumane as well.

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Originally Posted by Autumn2005

a bad spine kink where the body goes completely flat in one area and does a complete u-turn

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This sounds like a cull but a picture might help. I think all kinked animals should be euthanized. The animal is already living in captivity... no reason to make it live with chronic pain.

Decapitation immediately followed by pithing is humane. Everything is over in under 10seconds. If i just smash its head i'd be afraid it'd move or i wouldn't get it good enough. That's how i'd do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tribal

Very brutal sounding but it is the most humane method to cause the least amount of suffering for the snake. It is hard to do but this is something everyone needs to think about before breeding any animal. Things do not always go as planned so we must be able to step up to the plate and do what is right for the animals when the time comes.

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I tried to make that lil write up as squeamish friendly as possible but still get the job done humanely. In all actuality the paper towel is not necessary, but it helps with the faint of heart to get the job done the right way.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

I tried to make that lil write up as squeamish friendly as possible but still get the job done humanely. In all actuality the paper towel is not necessary, but it helps with the faint of heart to get the job done the right way.


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I like your idea a lot. It's actually brilliant for being so simple.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

I like your idea a lot. It's actually brilliant for being so simple.

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Thank you!


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@ satomi & Expensive Hobby.

Those are two great write ups, and satomi man I felt bad just reading that. I would never put a snake in the freezer to euthanize it, but you made a point that probably any of us rarely think about, or even consider. Just wow.

So sorry you have to do this. As already mentioned, smashing the brain is quickest and most humane. Please don't freeze any reptiles! So horrible....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neal

@ satomi & Expensive Hobby.

Those are two great write ups, and satomi man I felt bad just reading that. I would never put a snake in the freezer to euthanize it, but you made a point that probably any of us rarely think about, or even consider. Just wow.

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Thank you sir :drink


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I took care of the baby snake yesterday. I used a hammer and plastic bag. It was sad, but over quick. Here is a pic of the baby before the cull.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...s/P8140151.jpg

Is there any idea about what causes this? Or is it just a quirk that happens sometimes? Should I discontinue breeding the parents to avoid this happening again?

I have limited knowledge and experience but I think incubation issues are the main cause of things like this. If none of the other babies had the issue I would try once more. If it happens again, definitely discontinue.

Probably either a random occurrence or just incubation error.

Incubation issue? But KSBs give live birth... That's why I chose that species, so I wouldn't have to worry about incubating eggs. Does that mean the female has a problem with her cage? And all 8 of the other babies seem perfectly fine, thank goodness! I am anxiously waiting for them to shed so I can offer them their first meal. I have a chinchillated brindle doe that is ready to pop day day now, and I'm hoping she waits for the babies to shed. I chose the parents for their nice bright orange color, and every day the remaining babies are getting darker.

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Originally Posted by Autumn2005

Incubation issue? But KSBs give live birth...

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I totally forgot about that.
It's probably just a random occurrence then. I doubt it has to do with the parents.

Why don't you take it to the vets, one wee injection and it'll slip away at peace

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