Feeding Problems, Does This Mouse Look Ok?

[Inknsteel]

Thank you for your input. To be perfectly honest I just cannot handle the thought of it killing the mouse or hearing the mouse scream. I know it is natural, I just cannot handle it.

Ok, you replied before I finished typing my response. I understand not wanting to feel like you were party to the death of another living creature. Unfortunately, this is the circle of life and the snake has to eat, and for that to happen, a mouse has to die. Snakes are naturally VERY efficient predators, and will dispatch the mouse much more efficiently than we as humans could. Even if you're feeding frozen thawed, it was a living and breathing mouse who gave its life to feed your snake. And FYI, the mouse doesn't "scream". You may hear a quick, faint squeak, but no ear piercing, blood curdling "scream".

I have been told another concern is injury to the snake.

When feeding live, doing so responsibly is the key. Do not leave a live prey item in the enclosure unattended. Most of the horror stories you hear are because someone dropped a live (and probably hungry) rat in the tank and left it for a day or two or a week.

What I have read said that the only people who feed live are the ones who want to watch the snake eat for their own pleasure, I won't be in the room when he eats regardless.

I don't know where you read that, but that statement is just ignorant and uneducated. I feed live prey to my snake because it's what is natural to her, and she thrives on live prey, never refusing a meal. Sure, the first time I watched a feeding, there was a certain "cool" factor, but that's not why I feed live, nor do I think a blanket statement like that applies to even 1% of the live-feeding members of this site. (Disclaimer: 97% of statistics are made up on the spot, including these)

I purchased these mice at PetCo, I assumed they would have good quality frozen mice. This mouse was clearly smashed in the head to be killed (its eyes are hanging out and it's skill is flat). I had read that the mice should be flash frozen. Beyond the grossness factor I am concerned about contamination.

I don't have experience with frozen thawed mice, but from the pic you posted, I wouldn't feel comfortable feeding that to my snake. It's possible that the mouse was euthanized using CO2, then the head crush was after the fact.

I want to take proper care of the snake and hope the snake can learn to eat frozen so we can all be happy.

Understandably, you want to do what's best for the snake. The unfortunate reality is that sometimes what is best for the snake is not what is most comfortable for us as keepers.

And please do not take offense to anything in my post, including this last statement.

If you are not prepared to do what may be necessary to fulfill the snake's needs, which may include supervised live feedings, then possibly a snake is not the right pet for you. If you choose to keep the snake as a pet, but outright refuse to feed live prey and would sooner allow the snake to go unfed for months at a time, you should step back and reevaluate this situation...

Again, not trying to offend at all, so please take this post as it was intended, to help.