So, something weird happened today...

[jglass38]

Hardly. But thanks for the input regardless.

Not hardly. Clearly...

[Fallguy]

Hardly. But thanks for the input regardless.

It may be "just a feeder", but they should not have that happen to them. I think Jglass was correct in saying that it was unneccesary. I am sure that the rat will be in pain a long time. A full week if it is not fed to something else before that. Compared to any pain it may feel durring a normal feeding, this is like a lifetime. If you insist on doing the come and get it approach, try using a pair of feeding tongs, and get them by the scruff or something with a little more bulk and strength than the tail.

Just my $.02 . Due to the economy, this may be totally worthless to some.

[rynpckrd]

Not hardly. Clearly...

Honestly, I openly welcome differences in opinion regarding the handling of animals (obviously in this case, the handling of a rat).

However, I think that it might be proper if you displayed some tact in how you go about saying that I cruelly handled a meal for Atticus. Personally, the way that I've gone about holding live food for both of my snakes has been to hold the mice and the rats by the tail. But, I am more than willing to go about picking up said mice and rats a different way if there is one. Admittedly, the "come and get it" dangling that I was doing was unnecessary, but I hardly believe that it was cruel.

EDIT: It wasn't my intention for the rat to lose a piece of its tail, though. I didn't even know it was something that could happen...

[rynpckrd]

It may be "just a feeder", but they should not have that happen to them. I think Jglass was correct in saying that it was unneccesary. I am sure that the rat will be in pain a long time. A full week if it is not fed to something else before that. Compared to any pain it may feel durring a normal feeding, this is like a lifetime. If you insist on doing the come and get it approach, try using a pair of feeding tongs, and get them by the scruff or something with a little more bulk and strength than the tail.

Just my $.02 . Due to the economy, this may be totally worthless to some.

Thank you. That's what I would have appreciated a bit more to hear.

[jglass38]

Honestly, I openly welcome differences in opinion regarding the handling of animals (obviously in this case, the handling of a rat).

However, I think that it might be proper if you displayed some tact in how you go about saying that I cruelly handled a meal for Atticus. Personally, the way that I've gone about holding live food for both of my snakes has been to hold the mice and the rats by the tail. But, I am more than willing to go about picking up said mice and rats a different way if there is one. Admittedly, the "come and get it" dangling that I was doing was unnecessary, but I hardly believe that it was cruel.

EDIT: It wasn't my intention for the rat to lose a piece of its tail, though. I didn't even know it was something that could happen...

I say what I feel. I am not big on sugarcoating. When I see something I believe is cruel, I say it. The point I attempted to make is, if you feed the appropriate sized prey item, there is no need to dangle it. Just let nature take it's course. Best of luck!

[rynpckrd]

I say what I feel. I am not big on sugarcoating. When I see something I believe is cruel, I say it. The point I attempted to make is, if you feed the appropriate sized prey item, there is no need to dangle it. Just let nature take it's course. Best of luck!

I wouldn't want it any other way.

And I definitely plan to invest in tongs and stop holding them by the tail. Every opportunity I can take in learning about responsible animal care is one I want to take.

[jglass38]

I wouldn't want it any other way.

And I definitely plan to invest in tongs and stop holding them by the tail. Every opportunity I can take in learning about responsible animal care is one I want to take.

That's what it's all about!

[Lolo76]

I say what I feel. I am not big on sugarcoating. When I see something I believe is cruel, I say it. The point I attempted to make is, if you feed the appropriate sized prey item, there is no need to dangle it. Just let nature take it's course. Best of luck!

I agree. Mona is a live feeder (as are my others when I can't get F/T), and I don't have to do any enticing... I hold rats around the belly and gently place them in, close the lid, and let Mona take care of the rest. I will hold mice by the tail, because they're so darned squirmy - but only for a second, just to get them in the tubs.

I had no idea rats could de-glove their tail, though - poor thing! Are you keeping him comfortable until the next feeding attempt? Maybe he/she needs a wound dressing in the meantime?

[Hulihzack]

If you want to hold the rat by its tail, hold it closer to the base. You'd have to be holding it close to the tip for that to happen. As someone who handles a -buttload- of rats, if they start flailing, let them go or support them with something other than the tip of their tail. Odds are (very high) that it won't bite you if you just put your hand under it for a second. That's a lot of stress that can be easily avoided for all 3 animals taking part.