Quote Originally Posted by Chocolate1 View Post
I think we should keep in mind that it is not just the TIME it takes for a reptile to die, but the sensory experience as well. While a euthanasia performed by a veterinarian may take longer, the drugs used do not create pain in the animal; indeed, the do the opposite, they are powerful analgesics. So, if a veterinarian gives a lethal injection of a drug with the intent of euthanasia, analgesia will take place before death. This means that the animal will not experience pain, but will slowly lose consciousness, followed by the cessation of heart function and brain function. The route of the injection will determine how long this process takes. If it is directly in the blood stream it is quicker than if it is in the body cavity or liver, for example.

Freezing may be quicker in some cases, but there is no analgesia involved. The types of tissues most affected by cooler temperature are the cells involved in muscle function, not nervous function. So while the reptile may not be able to move, there is still neurological function, and having your tissues freeze is certainly painful. Even at very low temperatures reptile species retain consciousness. Indeed, there have been many scientific studies conducted on pain and function at low temperatures.

Again, I emphasize that there have been scientific studies conducted on reptile pain. And yes, “we” do know things about what reptiles feel and whether it is painful. Many people do research on this kind of stuff for a living.
You know, for a fact, that anesthesia is used prior to lethal injection? I'm curious about these studies you quote as well.

Or perhaps you are saying that the injection intended to kill the snake is somehow going to numb the reptile prior to it's dying but post injection?

You're using awfully big words and I'm not familiar with all of them. Please clarify.