Feeding Options.

BamBaboons · Feeding Options.

Choices Choices Choices. Idea

Here you can talk about different feeding options and their benefits to you, your reptile and the feeder its self.

Remember, every one has their own way of doing things, however, we should all keep our minds open to new ideas and consider the possibilitie
of changing things for the better.

There is all ways room for improvement, no matter how good things are all ready.

I cant go into detail at the moment, as it is late, and I'm about to fall asleep on m key board but I will list some safe alternatives to live feeding.
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*Frozen/Thawed, comes in all sizes, available at most all chain pet stores.

*Stunning, buy the mouse/rat live and stun it before feeding. (I am not sure of the most effective way to stun, if some one could post info that would be lovely)

*Pre-killd. can be bought at a local pet store and euthanized humanely at home. some pet stores will do it for you there. (again I am unsure proper euthanasia methods, instructions greatly appreciated)
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To name a few. please if an one can elaborate, please feel free.

Matt Kogler

Hmmmmmm... Ok Im going to anonymously post this (do not look at my picture its not really there...),...

There are lots of methods to feeding herps, there are circumstances as well that call for certain feeding procedures (WC import refusing live food items, lizard eaters etc).

However, I will risk throwing my many years of large scale keeping/breeding experience in to say, live feeding where not absolutely necessary is a risky thing for captive snakes specifically.

In the wild a snake is able to strike and warn a prey item that it is not interested in feeding, then depart the area and flee. Reducing they preys ability to inflict harm.

In captivity, the predator has no where to flee, or retreat and the prey is given the opportunity to inflict damage and or death.

The best interest of the captive herp is in feeding pre killed prey items, with out question. There are many (too many) people who can attest to this.

The best way to go about this is a matter of personal preference..

Anywhoo, thats my 2 & 1/2 cents right there... (This all depends also on the type of herp in question, when I worked with crocs we didnt worry too much about this issue...::lol::)

BamBaboons

"Anywhoo, thats my 2 & 1/2 cents right there... (This all depends also on the type of herp in question, when I worked with crocs we didnt worry too much about this issue...: Laughing

"

*O* crocs?! lucky!

Yes, I do know of some that will simply refuse pre-killed no matter how hard you try to wean them.. but if they WILL eat pre-killed, there is simply no reason to feed live. you risk injury or death to your snake, an unnecessarily terrifying death for the rat/mouse .

I found a really great sight with a LOT of information on feeding perkilled.

please every one with snakes that feed live, i highly recommend you read this.

http://www.anapsid.org/prekill.html

ftorres

Hello ALl,

OK I really need help. I hope I am in the right section.
I want to lear how to pre kill or stun properly to feed my snakes as I feed live and I have seen rats attacking back.

Well my main problem is one of my jungle carpet pythons.

She has only eaten once since I got her, and she does not want to eat, I have tried holding the pinky or fuzzy from forceps, she strikes but doesn't get the mouse. I have also tried leaving the fuzzy in the cage with her and nothing.

please help!!!!!

francisco

What

My favorite method is the bag + wall approach(put rat in bag, swing bag into hard surface). Another that works well is to simply lay a hard rod against the back of the neck, grab the tail and slowly pull till it pops...this method is not always the best because the "sheath" around rat's tails can separate, and that is not fun.

Edit: @ Fransisco, how large is the jcp?

Matt Kogler

If you want the "humane" approach, either place the rodents in an air tight container and place a piece of dry ice in with them (it), or use the same type of container with Co2.. Either works quickly and painlessly with out all the blood...

I used to breed rodents on a large scale (3,000-4,000 babies each month), and used the warehouse door as a backstop (chucking them into it by the hundreds) until I realized how cruel I was being, and discovered a better more efficient way. I converted an Igloo ice chest into a gas chamber of sorts and could euthanize hundreds at once with out having them flop around in pain and bleed all over..

Ok so this makes me look like a big puss, but think about it for a minute, you are taking a living creature and inflicting serious internal injuries and giving it a slow death from internal damage. It is equivalent to me taking a bat to your head then smashing your abdominal organs and letting you die from those injuries.. Not too cool..

I think as animals lovers we should be very mindful of just how we go about feeding our animals, for their sake, our own and the prey animals. All the media needs to get a hold of is some film of reptile keepers "braining" rodents, and there is some more fuel for their crusade to ban reptile keeping. After all, we do live in a country where our neighbors love to go to city counsel meetings and take away your freedoms if they don't agree with them.. Food for thought... Matt

Herpetologyfrk

Try putting them in a box so they are in complete darkness. Make sure the rat is still warm though.

BugMom

I prefer frozen thawed feeders. I want the safest possible meal for my beloved snakes, but I could never harm the mice/rats myself. I just don't have that in me. I keep enough to feed all my snakes for months and don't have to run off to the store for feeders. I clearly label the package so my husband doesn't pop it in the microwave thinking it's leftovers. I order the mice from a good supplier in bulk. The ones they sell at Petco are gross and soggy and my snakes won't eat that. I could not do supervised feeding because I have some "secretive" eaters who like to be alone in a dark room while they eat. Besides, I have heard that mice sometimes "scream" -- I would not do well with that.

rosenkrieger

BugMom, do you know how long frozen mice will last in the freezer? I was told they go bad after a while. I'd love to buy in bulk from somewhere good, but I'm just afraid that with one snake, they'd go bad before she at them all.

BugMom

I think the general is about 1 year, but I prefer to keep only 6 months worth in stock. You press the air out of the package each time and I double bag them and then put them inside a tupperware. Only the Petco ones have ever gotten freezer burn. Some companies do not have a minimum order. I still ordered my mice even when it was just my kingsnake. Or . . . you could get more snakes! Very Happy

WBurke17

Christy, Do you mind sharing which company you use. Wink

Matt Kogler

If they are vacuum packed (Food Saver machine etc..) they have up to a 3 yr shelf life, only if you use the actual Food Saver bags... (Normal Zip Lock types still get freezer burn...)

BugMom

I have used many companies, but I'm currently buying from Pet Ice Box. They have the best shipping prices and really great communication. Last time the shipper delievered my package to the wrong address and it was spoiled by the time I finally got it. They replaced my order and had it on my porch the following morning. I've been very happy with their products.

WBurke17

Thanks I'll look into them. Smile

BamBaboons

see, this was a good idea Very Happy

thanks to What (i think) for suggesting this.

rosenkrieger