Should I do somehting?

[Flicker]

I was feeding my snake a rat, and she grabbed it by the end instead of the head. She coiled around the lower part and has been trying to strangle the rat for almost 10 min. The rat is almost dead, but he won't stop twitching and I'm thinking I should just wait it out? I'm not sure though...

[Flicker]

I think she killed it..... she's starting to eat it. that took a long time..

[DutchHerp]

Poor rat

[Flicker]

Yeah. I agree. I hate when they suffer.

[Melicious]

Flicker, if I might make a friendly suggestion. I hate watching any animal suffer, and while my snakes feed live, I TRY not to allow the rats to suffer too much. Pick yourself up a pair of tongs or hemostats, please. Hold the rat by the nape of the neck, about three to four inches away from your snake's head, and your snake should go straight for it. Do you pre-scent the room?

[Melicious]

Here.

YouTube - 8 Ball Pythons - Feeding Lessons

Great video from Adam of 8Ball Pythons!

[Flicker]

I've never needed to present the room, so I haven't. They always go for it within the first few seconds.

Thats a good suggestion, I'll try it... unfortunetly, all the tongs I can find have sharp edges, so I may need to buy a pair.

Also, She was aiming for the face, but the rat jumped that second and she grabbed the end. This is the first time this has happened.

[Toronto Python Gurus]

if i find the snake doesnt have a good grip or doesnt seem to be suffocating the mouse/rat i will slowly pull the rat's/mouse's tail in the opposite direction of the snake and he will tighten his grip

[Flicker]

Thanks! That thought crossed my mind, But I wasn't sure i should interfear, hance I made this board. I'll keep that in mind it next time. thanks.

[southb]

Yeah. I agree. I hate when they suffer.

Nah....they are nasty vile creatures that are only here to be snake food. Remember......they helped kill over 1/3 of the Earth's population a few hundred years ago. I have no remorse, but then again I'm kinda sadistic anyway.