$6.50? Hmm... are you buying from a store that primarily sells pets? A lot of those places, like PetCo for example, intentionally jack up the price on rats to discourage people buying them as feeders. A local PetSmart in my area charges around $15, and only sells them 8-10 weeks old.Originally Posted by claytonfaulkner
I pay $2 per live rat pup at a local store that stocks mice and rats for the purpose of feeders. I think he only charges $1.25 on mice. Very reasonable prices.
No prob. I don't think there is a single member who would not be concerned at the health of an innocent little snake and want to help. This is such a great community.
How is the bite wound doing?
For the record (because I didn't mention this in my last message) I do not stun prior to feeding. I briefly considered it before reading some older posts that advised against it. The reasoning is that a stunned/injured animal is more of a threat than a healthy and otherwise unaware one.
Also, stunned animals don't move like healthy ones, so the snake can be confused when it comes to striking. Whereas a healthy mouse/rat may walk in a straight line, the snake will lunge for the head but wind up with the butt when the stunned creature suddenly spins or turns.
Stunned rats/mice also become instantly vicious when they recover from their condition, and if they have not been struck at, can do some damage in their panicked attempt to flee.
On the other hand, when you gently place the mouse/rat into the feeding tub or enclosure, it will go about its regular business of exploring the environment unaware of its prey-status. Because it is clueless, it also has no defence up against the attack. Snakes attack by striking, with surprise and agility - they are not made for rough-and-tumble brawling; it should be a one-hit-hold/kill. A calm, unaware and defenceless morsel is what actually gives the snake the most advantage.
This isn't to suggest that feeding mishaps can never occure, but there are members who've literally fed thousands of live unstunned rats to their snakes with no issues. So... I chose to trust in Salzedo and Mother Nature until the blessed day I switch him to F/T. hehe
Happy holidays.
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