Attention Live feeders

[LLLReptile]

Since I have such easy access to live feeders, at home I feed entirely live to all of my snakes.

I never leave the rats in for more than 15 minutes, unless the snake appears to be hunting it (some of them are just plain slow sometimes), and honestly even if they do nick the skin a bit...it's never much of a significant wound. If a bite takes place, I mentally note where it is when it's happening, if it's bad enough I block the teeth with tweezers, and then go back and check on the snake once they've finished eating. I have never been able to find a significant enough wound afterwards to warrant any special treatment.

However, again because I pick up the rats from the store, they're all well fed and watered here, not really stressed enough to bother my snakes. I also "gutload" mine; or rather, just offer them cricket gutload food for the hour between when I take them home and actually feed them off. They don't always eat it, but at least the option is there. The less stressed a rat is, the less likely it is to bother your snake, until the actual moment it gets constricted...and then who can blame them for fighting back?

Feeding live just requires some caution, some watchfulness, and non-stressed rodent prey items. When you follow some basic precautions, it's an acceptable feeding practice.

-Jen

[enchantress62]

"Bonking" a rat on the head that is already biting your snake seems counter-productive - all you are doing is forcing the teeth deeper into the snake. If you're talking about bonking before throwing it in there, please don't, because it could wake up mid-attack and be much more dangerous from fear and pain. If you want a "just-in-case" plan, why not use the advice others have given to block the bite with tongs/pencil/hook?

As per switching her, you could wait her out and only offer F/T rats, even if it takes a while for her to take one (could even "season" it in dirty mouse bedding to help the switch.

Another option is to start with live rat weanlings (about the same size as adult mice). These are still young, and not nearly as dangerous as an adult mouse or larger rat. You don't want to try to bump her too quickly on size, anyway, when you are switching.

Thanks for the advice. I've received suggestions that I still need to try first, and the whole feeding live thing may be unnecessary. I have heard horror stories on this site about feeders attacking their snakes and I want to prevent that. I don't intend to do anything that I don't have to I just want to be prepared.

[Slim]

I have heard horror stories on this site about feeders attacking their snakes

The vast majority of those stories come from unsupervised feedings. Many, many keepers on this site feed live every week with no problems.

[Annarose15]

I don't intend to do anything that I don't have to I just want to be prepared.

Never anything wrong with that plan.

[Ohlacey]

Before I put a rodent into my snake's cage I handle it for a few minutes first. I don't rile them up, but a rodent that's more aggressive instinctively will not be fed. I've had two aggressive rodents pose a problem before...

One was a large mouse. I reached in and grabbed it and took a strike from one of my gals. She didn't wrap, though, and let go immediately. The mouse chewed me up.

The second was a weaned rat who my spider girl had already struck who got his mouth free. I put a chopstick in it's mouth before he could get a bite on her.

The real answer to your question is prevention and careful monitoring, I suppose. I try to prevent the situation. And if I can't, well, I'll gladly take a strike and some angry bites before my snakes are injured.

[rabernet]

I'm curious, When you feed live and the mouse/rat attacks your snake what do you do? I mean how do you get the thing out? Seems to me that both rodent and snake would be upset and ready to bite out of defense. Is there some kind of tool that's used or do you just suck it up and reach your hand in?

In over 15K live feedings, I've never had a rodent attack any of my snakes. I've also never intervened in my snakes' kills. I don't find it necessary.

[WarriorPrincess90]

I use tongs or a pencil and stick it in the rat's mouth if my snakes didn't get the head. However, I have thumped them before too. If the rat's head is loose of the snakes coils and it's flailing it's head around trying to bite, and you don't have something to put in the mouth, just thump them. The lack of oxygen from constriction paired with the thump usually knocks them right out. I wouldn't thump it if it was already latched on though. If it was at an odd angle when the snake got it, I've grabbed them by the scruff behind their heads and held their head back and away from my snake. Be careful with that one though, really feisty ones will find a way to get you.

My suggestion? Always keep feeding tongs or something around to shove in the rat's mouth if the snake's aim was off. It's the best route and you can also use tongs to pick the rat up if necessary, or pull it's teeth away from your snake if you have to.

EDIT: And always supervise live feedings! I never look away from the snake and rat until the rat is dead and being swallowed.

[enchantress62]

Thanks guys all of your suggestions give me peace of mind. I love my girl so much and I don't want anything to happen to her but I do want to do what's best for her. I'm hoping she will eventually take f/t rats and I wont have to feed live.