prekilling your snake's prey by yourself?

[blackcrystal22]

Who decided that causing asphyxiation with CO2 is the most humane? For all we know it could be more painful and terrible for the mice than a quick thump on the head. How do we know they just "slowly fall asleep" from breathing CO2? I can't imagine suffocating would be any more pleasant than getting knocked instantly unconscious.

If someone wants to prekill by thumping the rodent then it's their choice. There are many animal rights activists who would say everyone on this forum treats animals inhumanely by keeping them in captivity in tiny enclosures. No matter how humane you think you are there will always be other people who think you're doing things wrong.

First of all, you have a snake. And like most people on here, you don't know how the snake REALLY kills it's prey do you?
You think the snake suffocates it's prey? Here is what I was told by my veterinarian, as well as a couple of books I have read. Snakes do not constrict and suffocate. They constrict the circulatory system, not the respiratory. Suffocation takes 5-6 minutes. When however, they constrict, they feel for the heart and literally try to stop the heartbeat. Stopping the circulation of blood flow is much faster and much more painless.

My question is this... we can go on and on debating what is the right or wrong way or which method works best but the point is to use such words as inhumane to do it in certian ways doesnt cut it. first off it is considered inhumane to kill the rat/mouse in any method used. you're killing a living breathing creature. 2nd you're killing it or feeding it alive to another animal. in the wild it is considered mother nature at its best and or the life cycle of the creatures lower and higher up the food chain. but for a human to kill an animal to feed to another animal so they can have the pleasure of having such reptile in captivity is inhumane in itself. any way you look at it technically it is inhumane to kill or feed a live animal to another animal for your pleasures of having one in captivity. either way you look at it, it is inhumane. there is no humane way of killing an animal for your enjoyment of another. this is only my opinion and i know some may feel differently but that is how i see it.

Do you have a dog or a cat?
How would you feel, if your vet said your cat or dog was ill and needed to be put down. Instead of humanely euthanizing it, they would hit it on the head with a hammer and hope it dies. This is a living, breathing animal. If you have pets, such as snakes, you need to treat it's prey with the same respect as the animals you consider your companions.
Humane refers to as painless as possible. CO2 is the best bet for that. Whacking the animal often times just stuns it, and does not kill it. The blood flow is still going to the brain, and it is still feeling PAIN.

Originally Posted by Basketball303 View Post
So today was feeding day and I tried cervical dislocation and damn near pulled the tail right off! Sure it was probably my fault

Oh, ya think?

becuase it was my first time, but I had no remorse or anything,

I'm sorry you had no remorse for the unnecessary pain you caused

I knew the mouse was gonna die any way, I just helped in the process.

...poorly

It is my belief that these snakes are bred in captivity for a reason, our enjoyment, so it is our responsibility to feed the pet any way we feel necessary.

Arrogant point of view


It's the circle of life people, each pet owner is an individual with different views on responsible pet ownership/husbandry. I usually thump my mice in an old pillow case and then feed it to my snake. Today I tried one live feeding and one cervical dislocation, and guess what, the snake ate it regardless. Just my two cents

Two cents aint worth what it use to be....