live vs pre-killed

[timminsreptiles]

hi there......I would like to mkae a sign for my store that states the dos and donts on snake feeding and why pre-killed is better........but i dont know exactly how to word it....can anyone help?

Lucas

[RepTylE]

Here we gooooooooo, This will no doubt be a busy thread soon lol.

It depends on how detailed you would want to be. The obvious reasons are lower cost of rodents sold frozen for feeders vs. live food or pets, the convienience of not having to feed the feeders lol. Not having to feel squeamish about putting a live animal in a snake's enclosure. No chance of the prey animal injuring the snake.
There is some debate about parasites (not going into that here) whereas freezing would kill any parasites present in the rodent.
All that I can think of offhand. Just putting it all in point form would convey any or all of this information. I wouldn't make the examples too graphic and give the kiddies nightmares lol

Maybe someone else can think of a few things that I may have overlooked.

[Ptindy]

Alright how about,

DO feed at night, snakes are noturnal and in the wild hunt for their food at night. This will simulate their natural feeding habits.

DO feed prekilled or frozen thawed rodents, it is less hassle, convienient, cheaper and most importantly, safer for the snake.

DO feed snakes by themselves, snakes can be competitive for food and may attack one another.

DO NOT handle a snake or interact with a snake unless the scent of its food is completely washed off your hands and arms.

DO NOT feed live rodents as this can potentially harm your snake.

DO NOT use your hands to feed the snake its food item as it may strike at your hand as it is a warm target and may get mistaken for its food. Use feeding tongs.

DO NOT feed your snake on loose substrate that is small enough to fit in it's mouth or stick on the food item (ie wood shavings).

DO NOT feed your snake in its permanent enclosure as it will assume that every time the enclosure is opened it's feeding time and it may try to strike at your hand.


That's all I can think of for now. Hope this helps some.

Mike

[timminsreptiles]

thanx guys....that helps alot!

[CDN-Cresties]

I would have to disagree with the last statement Ptindy stated. I always feed my BP in his enclosure and he doesn't strike my hand at all. I suppose you can use that arguement if the only time you go into the enclosure is to feed the snake but what about the times you change the water, clean, etc.. However im not sure if snakes are capable of making that learning association to begin with...if any one knows please PM instead of posting here. I dont want to hijack the thread.
Thanks

[Ptindy]

Well, that's a BP, they are usually scardy cats. For a bci or carpets which can and are found in pet stores they can be quite mean so just for safe practice I would tell all new herpers to do this. I'm sure this person is selling people their first snakes.

Mike

[CDN-Cresties]

But what about the times you change water and clean the enclosure? Why would the snake make the association between hand and food and discriminate against other stimuli listened above? If they are striking still then, I would be inclined to say its a defensive bite and not a feeding response.

[RepTylE]

I focused on the live vs prekilled part, sorry. It is such a sore point with me. I would suggest printing up a caresheet to give away to customers, all of these points would have a better chance to sink in with new reptile keepers than a sign on the wall of a pet store (just my opinion). They could refer to it many times at home.


And as for the statement about BP's being scaredycats lol you never met my female. If she thinks food is in the offing and is in feeding mode you better get ready to bleed f you aren't careful lol.

[JonD]

I don't believe that there is any thing wrong with feeding in an enclosure. Really depends on the substrate.;)

[CDN-Cresties]

Good point JonD. Nice sig, Family guy is too funny.

[timminsreptiles]

i do print out care sheets for them.....jsut want to put that on the wall as an extra.