How is it that..

[wolfy-hound]

Some people don't mind if we buy frozen rats, thaw them out and feed them. So.. it's okay to use killed animals.. as long as WE don't kill them? That's the same as people who say they couldn't ever kill a cow, look how cute they are! Then they eat a burger. It's hypocrisy. It's just part of nature that some animals are carnivores. If they have a pet cat or dog, you can also point out that they also cause animals to be killed for food. Just because the dead animals have been reduced to dry kibble in no way relieves their responsibilty for those animals losing their lives to become food. A mouse being fed to a snake is simply a more direct honest relationship in the prey/predetor dynamics.
In REAL LIFE. I have several friends that think it's cruel, or disgusting, but they accept the fact that I'll be feeding rats to my snakes. "The snake needs to eat too" is usually the comment. But they don't want to watch(frankly it's a little disturbing to me when someone "wants" to watch and gets gleeful over it) and some don't want to see the snakes, or hold them.
As long as the other people are respectful of my right to have differing opinions, then we get along just fine. I don't start telling them about the cute fuzzy rat that nuzzled my hand before I offered it to a snake... and they don't ask. I usually buy my rodents somewhere that sells them at a normal rate for feeders, and I don't offer up the knowledge that they will be snake food, or breeders to make snake food unless directly asked. I however.. NEVER lie if directly asked either.
I've had that store manager that refused to sell me four white rats after he directly asked me "These won't be feeders will they?" And I said "Yes. For my ball pythons" Once he said no to me purchasing them, I said well thanks anyway. And then I left. It's his store. Personally I think they should have signage stating that the rodetns will not be sold as food, but it's his right to not sell me his rats too. I've heard from multiple herpers how they berate or yell and in general pitch a fit about not being sold a feeder. Well, tough. It's not your rat until you buy it. I'm sure most of us would refuse to sell someone one of our ball pythons to be used as a feeder to a cobra too. Gotta think about it from both angles.
There are times when I go "Aww... dang but you're cute" when looking at a feeder. Sometimes if it's a female, it does indeed get a reprieve to be used as a breeder instead. But it still doesn't bug me to go ahead and toss them in either.
One sister had two rats she got from me as pets. She has OFFERED unasked.. to breed them to produce babies for me to use as feeders. She's quite the carnivore herself, and understands the food chain.
I've killed cows, goats, chickens, deer, turkey, etc etc... to eat. I raised some of those from babies in order to kill them and eat them. I've had beloved pet chickens, and killed others for food. To me it's part of life. I feel I'm a better person for respecting where my food comes from. Too many people are too removed from the food chain now. They won't kill an animal, but they will buy beef. To me that's a little sad, and I feel it doesn't show as much respect to that dumb cow that died to provide the food. There are exceptions, of people that simply don't want to think about it so closely, but DO respect the animal they are eating. I think herpers are closer to the food chain, and therefor better people for it.
Sorry so longwinded. It's one of those days.
Wolfy

[gibbrishclown]

Great post wolfy!

[elevatethis]

I've gotten more flak for "stuffing snakes in dark plastic containers" than I do for feeding live rodents.

I try to explain to them that some snakes don't have the same psychological needs as other animals and so long as they feel warm, safe, and have access to food and water, they are cozy as could be.

People are stupid.

[cassandra]

Outstanding post, Wolfy! I was gonna post but I don't need to...just ready what Wolfy wrote again.

We are lucky, I guess, since there are several reptile shop nearby and EVERYONE knows what the mice and rats are for. The folks at the feed store we have occassionally bought rabbits from for Lourdes haven't batted an eye, so I'm guessing they're used to it or don't care or respect the privacy of their customers. Needless to say, I like them a lot.