Feeding dead mice

[thebeav]

Last weekend I adopted a Ball python. It’s been a while since I’ve owned a snake so pardon the silly question. The person that adopted it to me said it ate dead mice. I’ve heard that this it better and keeps the snake from mistaking you for food and striking you. This seemed logical to me. Last night I fed him two mice. I noticed when I dangled them in front of him he struck and coiled just as if they were alive. Is this the normal way they eat dead food? It appeared just as violent as giving him live food. I’m not sure I see the advantage/difference.
What are some of your thoughts?

Thanks,
George

[Vengeance]

Feeding live food can be hazrdous to your snakes health if not done properly. Feeding dead prey is much safer because the prey item can't fight back. But there is nothing wrong with your Ball python coiling the dead prey item. But also you should try and switch your Ball over to rats, if he/she is taking 2 mice it should be more then ready to start on rats. If you are going to feed live make sure you take the proper steps needed to ensure your snakes saftey. There are a few people on here that feed live I'm sure they can give the exact specifics on how to properly and safely feed live prey.

[thebeav]

He's only two feet long. I'm not sure about a full grown rat but maybe a small one. Since he's getting use to a new cage, do you think I should keep what he is use to for the next feeding than try a small rat?

[Auskan]

You will also find that feeding prekilled food is more convenient as you can store it in your freezer and just thaw when needed, versus always having to go and purchase live food, and then if the snake isn't ready to eat, you have to keep the mice/rats somewhere and feed them until the snake is ready to eat them.

[sapphire_moon]

agreed, if the prices on rats/mice weren't so high priced I would do that.

dead/prekilled/or stunned is always best. That is what I try to feed my snakes. next time you have questions about your bp try the bp forum, you might find you get more responses to your questions.

And welcome to ssnakess.com!

[Vengeance]

How much does he weigh? I choose feeders by weight of the feeder compared to 1/4 the weight of my Ball. So right now my Ball is 400 Grams so I feed him 100G rats.

[elevation24]

Originally posted by Auskan
You will also find that feeding prekilled food is more convenient as you can store it in your freezer and just thaw when needed, versus always having to go and purchase live food, and then if the snake isn't ready to eat, you have to keep the mice/rats somewhere and feed them until the snake is ready to eat them.

Yeah but what sucks about that is when they don't eat the frozen/thawed food and you have to toss it out and waste money :( As opposed to keeping it alive in a small container with a bowl of food and water when you can offer every few days until the snake takes it.

[mice4you]

The other big advantage when using thawed rodents is exposure to different diseases and bacterias. Most diseases and bacteria dies off when the rodents are put into the deep freezer (chest freezer).

[Lisa]

Originally posted by elevation24
Yeah but what sucks about that is when they don't eat the frozen/thawed food and you have to toss it out and waste money :( As opposed to keeping it alive in a small container with a bowl of food and water when you can offer every few days until the snake takes it.


Refreezing once won't hurt the snake, even big name people like Bill Love do that. (see reptiles magazine).

[annieb_mice]

(( The other big advantage when using thawed rodents is exposure to different diseases and bacterias. Most diseases and bacteria dies off when the rodents are put into the deep freezer (chest freezer). ))

*** Also wanted to add that any possible parasites, such as mites and such, are killed off as well in the freezer.
Feeding frozen/thawed prey items are also usually cheaper in the long run, especially if you find a good feeder breeder near you <unless you are willing to buy in bulk>. Frozen mice are generally between .50 cents to $1.00 for a full grown adult mouse as opposed to between $2.00 and $4.00 for a live mouse from a pet store, not to mention the cage and food needed if the snake refuses to eat.
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

[elevation24]

Originally posted by Lisa
Refreezing once won't hurt the snake, even big name people like Bill Love do that. (see reptiles magazine).

The longer it's been exposed, the more bacteria.

(and not everyone has a big deep freezer!!)

Regardless, I don't re-freeze. I don't care what big breeders do it. It doesn't seem like it could possibly be healthy.

But regardless, I am not here to start an argument about it. For every person that thinks it's okay, there's another that thinks it isn't. Agree to disagree and be done with it :)

[Linds]

Originally posted by thebeav
I’ve heard that this it better and keeps the snake from mistaking you for food and striking you.

While it is better, it has nothing to do with the snake mistaking you for food. A snake may mistake you for food when triggered by scent, motion, etc. regardless of whether it feeds on live or dead.

[annieb_mice]

(( Regardless, I don't re-freeze. I don't care what big breeders do it. It doesn't seem like it could possibly be healthy. ))

*** I agree with you. I have several snakes, so it's rare that something will actually go to waste, plus, with a pacman frog that will eat anything I give it, "wasted" mice are REALLY rare around here. :)
I don't refreeze myself... I treat my snakes' "meat" like I would mine. I certainly want to eat a roast that has been frozen, then thawed, then frozen and thawed again, and I doubt it would be any different for my snakes food.
Just because a big name herp breeder does it, doesn't mean everyone has to do it.
Anyways.... no arguments intended here... :)
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~