Am I a bad person!

[BChambers]

I'm amazed no one has mentioned what, to me and lots of other herp keepers, is the quickest and most humane method of pre-killing-cervical dislocation. When you do it properly, death is intantaneous, by far the fastest I have seen of any method. CO2 doesn't even come close.

It's easy to accomplish. Holding the mouse gently by the tail, lower it onto a surface on which it's feet can readily gain purchase-a screen tank cover works perfectly. The rodent will naturally attempt to pull itself away from your grasp, stretching itself out slightly. At this point, gently bur firmly place a pen, sexing probe, or other long cylindrical object just behind its skull, while at the same time giving a short, sharp tug to the tail. This will easily detach the cervical vertebrae (and thus the spinal cord) from the base of the skull, causing instant death.

It's never pleasant to have to take a life, but such occasions do come up. As responsible keepers we must strive to do our utmost to prevent suffering of ALL our chargers-whether they are pets or feeders.

[tideguyinva]

I always feed live and have since I started keeping snakes. As far as whacking it on the concrete I havent had to do that yet. Most of the time they eat WELL. The CO2 chanber idea is a good idea but has its drawbacks just like everything else. If I ever do have to kill one iit would probably be stunning it. Such a touchy subject, one I havent had to deal with yet.

[darkangel]

I'm amazed no one has mentioned what, to me and lots of other herp keepers, is the quickest and most humane method of pre-killing-cervical dislocation. When you do it properly, death is intantaneous, by far the fastest I have seen of any method. CO2 doesn't even come close.

Actually it's been mentioned by two different people. Just sayin

[BChambers]

Actually it's been mentioned by two different people. Just sayin

Actually, only Mindibun mentioned it specifically, but then refered to it as "wringing the neck"-which is not the method I would recommend.

[jglass38]

Actually, only Mindibun mentioned it specifically, but then refered to it as "wringing the neck"-which is not the method I would recommend.

Actually, I mentioned it specifically. However, if done incorrectly it can cause pain and suffering to the rat.

[BChambers]

This method should NOT be used on adult rats-it definitely WILL cause pain and suffering in that case-it also may not work at all! Only use it on mice and very small rats!

[monk90222]

I personally am disgusted by people who think it's ok, and even funny, to kill a prey item by smacking it against the wall or a table. Aside from CO2, one of the only other HUMANE methods of euthanizing prey items is cervical dislocation. However, if done wrong it can cause a lot of pain and suffering. It's a sad statement on what this world has become when people find it funny to kill an animal.

Look up here ^.....cervical dislocation....

[Gloryhound]

Questions concerning a humane way to take a life has been the subject of debate for a long time. Even lethal injection has people objecting to its use and if it is Humane. Regardless of the method you choose to use someone will object. Go on one of the pet rodent sites and ask the question as to what is the most humane way to kill a rodent and you are likely to be banned from the site! In the end you are taking a life, but that isn't what is being debated here is it. Everyone wants to know the most humane way to take a life and I do not think this can truly be answered until we find someone and kill them using each method and ask them which was the most pleasant, quick, and painless. Unfortunately after each method the recipient is dead and can not be asked to give a measure of the pain received. With that said and the fact that some keepers of ball pythons and other snakes do not have any option other than feeding f/t or prekill. With that said the individual has to determine what their humanity dictates is humane enough for them to deal with. Certain methods are obviously torturous and should be avoided, but several other methods create questions as to how humane it is. Even frozen thawed requires some method of euthanasia and if it takes buying them in little prepackaged bags to remove yourself from the act then so be it. Ultimately someone has to kill the rodent for the snake to eat. Be it the supplier you buy the F/T from, you yourself, or the snake someone kills the rodent. You have to choose a method you can accept and let it go. Judging based on the method used will be more torturous than the act itself in the end.

[abhorrent]

Nothing wrong with that. I recently got into feeding my ball mid-sized rats. When I picked the first one up with the tongs and saw it trying to chew through it's own tail, I realized there's no way I'm putting that thing near Ruth while it's alive. Those guys can get vicious.

Snake > feeder rat. Just treat the food with respect when you kill it, do it as quickly and humanely as you possibly can and I see no harm in it.

[ExoticsBySize]

I want to thank everyone for there comments. I have thought about the CO2 method but I was wondering if he CO2 that is in the rat /mouse lungs going to effect my snakes?