Ball Python cut

[oldshell4481]

i fed my snake a mouse yesterday and he constricted it, and he grabbed it wrong and it allowed the mouse to bite my snake. it isnt very deep at all, it just looks like the skin was peeled back a tiny bit. my snake is also about to shed, what should i do for the cut to help the healing process, and will this affect the shed at all?

[reptiles4me]

When I adopted a BP with a minor burn, a vet sold me reptile Neosporin. You could try to find that. Not sure if you need to have a vet visit in order to get it though. If it's deep enough, a vet visit might be an order.

[Corrupt_Kitten]

Anything that looks deep should be seen by a vet. If its not that bad then use Polysporin or Neosporin. ( treated like a human cut basically ) might want to clean it out if its a little infected though ( and in that case a quick trip to teh vet is a good idea )

[robitza]

You should feed pre-killed prey items to save from this happening in the future. I have seen larger snakes killed because of prey animals attacking them. It is not worth it to feed live prey. I would suggest a vet trip for your snake.

[oldshell4481]

i like feeding it live mice, i like watching it stalk and suffocate (not to sound sick). it looks more like a bad abrasion, no blood, no sign of blood, i can just see tannish looking tissue. i dont think we have any vets that can care for reptiles around here.

[Princess Erica]

I don't mean to jump on you, but if you want to be a responsible keeper, what you like should take a backseat to the safety and well-being of your snake. Just because the injury was small this time doesn't mean next time it won't be life-threatening... something to think about.

[aeronautica86]

Just because you "like to watch it" is not a good reason to put your snake in jeapardy. A snake shouldn't be used as entertainment - you should put the safety and well being of the snake over your desire to see it kill something.

[justinO]

i like feeding it live mice, i like watching it stalk and suffocate (not to sound sick). it looks more like a bad abrasion, no blood, no sign of blood, i can just see tannish looking tissue. i dont think we have any vets that can care for reptiles around here.

you are the exact person who should NOT have a snake, or any living creature for that matter.

My first advice was simple: don't feed live.

not to sound sick? it IS sick!!!!! Maybe when you are older and can appreciate life and the well being of your pet reptile, you will figure out for yourself that feeding live is cruel, to the mouse AND the snake. It's not like captive snakes have to hunt for their food.

you make me want to vomit. I feel sorry for when karma comes back to you.

I'll wait to see the story on the news someday of the serial killer that liked to watch his snake suffocate the mice..... and how he liked to torture his victims this way as well.

Shame on you, you sad little boy.

:mad:

[joey]

I have a two year old Normal Bp and she simply WILL NOT accept pre-killed, fresh killed ANYthing. Her meals must be live. I've tried just about everything. I've even thought of finding her a new home because I don't like to feed live--whimpy on my end---but dat's da facts. I'll end up keeping her---she's gorgeous and has a good temperament. So there are exceptions with feeding f/t --some snakies won't have it.

[joey]

geez, justinO, don't you think you're being a little harsh? I think the boy was more fascinated by the whole process. I agree----if he can get his snake switched to f/t ---best to do it asap, but to attack him for being intrigued by the nature of his pet is wrong to me.

[reptiles4me]

I have to agree with joey, justin0. Most people on this thread agreed that he/she should try and switch to F/T but without calling him or her a serial killer. Little melodramatic. I used to feed live to my 2 and had many people (who weren't serial killers as far as I know) ask if they could watch them eat. Because they wanted to watch poor Mickey and Minnie suffer? No. They were just curious to see a snake feed in person. I also found it interesting at first to watch them stalk and kill their prey and then dislocate their jaw to swallow something so much bigger than their head. And I haven't killed anyone...yet lol.

[NocturnalBC]

WOW justin0, I think your just a wee bit over the top on this one. Lower your coffee intake in the mornings. There is nothing wrong with somebody being honest on why they like to feed live prey over pre killed, Can you honestly say that you didn't feel the same way when you 1st got into snakes? I doubt that you can! For you to say that feeding live pre is cruel was so funny I actually had 2 drops of pee come. Give your head a shake.
Anyway, I don't see a problem with feeding live mice, rats on the other hand I must admit would be a different story but that's just me.

As far as what to do, I doubt the cut is that deep if we're talking about a mouse here so like a few of the others have said you should be fine with cleaning out the cut and then applying Polysporin or Neosporin.

[rrrrr]

...and then dislocate their jaw to swallow something so much bigger than their head.

Just for fun now, snakes do not dislocate their jaws.

Humans lower jaws are attached directly to their skulls. This limits the range of motion that a human jaw has. Snakes lower jaws are attached to the quadrate bone which is in turn attached to the skull. This "double hinge" allows the jaw to open much wider. Also, the hinge joints at both ends of the quadrate bone are very flexible allowing a lot of movement in all directions. Finally, while humans have a solid chin (fused mandibular symphysis), snakes do not. The left and right side lower jaws are attached to each other by a stretchy ligament rather than being fused bone. This allows the snake 's mouth to strecth open wider at the "chin" (rather than at the hinge) making a HUGE difference to the size of prey items it can swallow.

But, the joints dont actually become dislocated during swallowing...

[justinO]

Can you honestly say that you didn't feel the same way when you 1st got into snakes? I doubt that you can!

YES, I CAN.

I often tell the story of how I got into reptiles..... I had a boyfriend at the time who had a ball python, they fed it live and liked to watch the hunt..... even though I liked reptiles, this HORRIFIED me and I wouldn't keep snakes.

Then I learned that respectable and responsible reptile owners do NOT feed live for the thrill they get to watch the prey being killed, and that feeding FT or FK is only humane. I liked feeding at the beginning, it was a thrill, but mostly cuz I knew the rat did not suffer needlessly.

I did not go over the top, and what I said was not harsh enough.

I don't need less coffee, you all need more of a moral conscience.

You can still be interested in the process of a snake eating without feeding live.

Jessy.

[NocturnalBC]

justin0, Your way too emotional for an internet message board. You come across as a 6yr old child.

[headdown]

More than anything the serial killer comment was way out of line, plain stupid and not thought out obvioiusly, there's nothing wrong with enjoying nature at it's fullest, but it is dangerous for the snake so hopefully the curiosity and fascination will be out your system and your snake can get on to f/t right away. As for the wound, clean it up with some bedadine and use poly or neo as everyone else has suggested, and hope for the best when it's shed time. Good Luck.

[joey]

Just for fun now, snakes do not dislocate their jaws.

Humans lower jaws are attached directly to their skulls. This limits the range of motion that a human jaw has. Snakes lower jaws are attached to the quadrate bone which is in turn attached to the skull. This "double hinge" allows the jaw to open much wider. Also, the hinge joints at both ends of the quadrate bone are very flexible allowing a lot of movement in all directions. Finally, while humans have a solid chin (fused mandibular symphysis), snakes do not. The left and right side lower jaws are attached to each other by a stretchy ligament rather than being fused bone. This allows the snake 's mouth to strecth open wider at the "chin" (rather than at the hinge) making a HUGE difference to the size of prey items it can swallow.

But, the joints dont actually become dislocated during swallowing...

thanks for the info. :atom:

[peterm15]

wow.. first time ive seen anyone attacked for attacking someone feeding live.. lol..


anywho.. if there is no blood just use some polysporin. the cream stuff works better so im told.. havent had to do it. i just do my reasearch...

as for feeding.. there is nothing wrong imo with wanting to see it hunt and stuff but there is just to much danger... and plus they still hunt ( mostly) when feeding f/t... i actually find it better to watch.. there not chasing something around. there like scavengers finding there food while only useing their toungs.... as well feeding f/t is more economical.. cheaper and you dont have to run out every week to get mice....

id also suggest you switch to rats... as your snake becomes older hell need larger meals to satisfy his hunger... and health.mice frankly cant cut it. rats are a littloe more expansive but in the short and long run its worth it. there healthier as well

[NocturnalBC]

id also suggest you switch to rats... as your snake becomes older hell need larger meals to satisfy his hunger... and health.mice frankly cant cut it. rats are a littloe more expansive but in the short and long run its worth it. there healthier as well

What do you base this on?..or is it something you have read or been told? This has been asked for years and I know for a fact that there is know evidence that mice are any less in protein and neutrience then rats are. The only thing rats have as an advantage is size, other then that there is no diff. I've read that 2 or 3 smaller (mice) meals are easier to break down & digest then one large (rat) meal, this is something I have only read but it makes sense to me.

[headdown]

I too agree with what was just previously stated about mice and rats, there is no nutritionally better rodent unless of course the rats were kept really poor and the mice were not or vice versa, but overall they offer the same nutritional value, it would just look really funny offering a big burm or something 10+ mice LOL

[NocturnalBC]

I too agree with what was just previously stated about mice and rats, there is no nutritionally better rodent unless of course the rats were kept really poor and the mice were not or vice versa, but overall they offer the same nutritional value, it would just look really funny offering a big burm or something 10+ mice LOL


HAHAHA..I could just see the look on Burmie's face.."Are you serious!"..lol

[hbwright]

Shoot, my reply was just erased.

Guys, this boy admitted to feeding live for the thrill of it even AFTER he experienced what a live rodent can do to his pet. He doesn't deserve ths pet. As far as I'm concern if this doesn't convince him the snake is just too good for him. :medangry:

As for the cut make sure you use an antibiotic ointment without pain reliever in it. And.....get off your darn high horse and get it to your vet. Your topic is misleading. We are not talking about a "cut", we are talking about a BITE!!!!!! Rodent bites are full of germs and your risking infection.

Joey, please e-mail (evilbitch0111@yahoo.com) this lady, she has much experience in getting people to switch from live to f/t. She has helped others who have said they can't make the switch. I haven't contacted her about sharing her e-mail but let her know Heidi told you to e-mail her and I know for a fact she would love to help you.

[peterm15]

im pretty sure i read it on a site that gave nutricinal info about different feeders, mice rats chicks rabbits.. but i may be wrong.. but i have heard it a few times.

its healthier to feed one good sized meal then a few smaller ones.. i know id have to feed like 6 or 7 of the mice i can get to feed my female... as for nutrition maybe i read rong.. but i did read it somewhere

[galad]

I dont know they are different species. they could store different amounts of fats and protiens in thier bodies. But it prob is not enough to make much of a difference.

[Princess Erica]

its healthier to feed one good sized meal then a few smaller ones.. i know id have to feed like 6 or 7 of the mice i can get to feed my female... as for nutrition maybe i read rong.. but i did read it somewhere

Actually, I've always heard the opposite, that it's easier on the snake's digestive system to feed several smaller prey items. Just goes to show how much mixed information is out there to wade through...

I say feed what's easiest and most readily available. For some people, that's one big rat. For others, it's a couple smaller mice at once. Either way, the important part is that your snake is eating regularly and is healthy and happy.

[Corran]

As far as feeding live it depends on the situation, some animals will get hooked and will refuse all else. My friend has a 6 yr old female ball that will refuse to eat anything but live. She eats about 4 mice per feeding. From what ive learned about multiple feedings, the issue is not in the nutritional value, they are both rodents with similar physical aspects. It's more the psycological where they always expect more after being fed. Anyways I agree that the original poster is not being very responsible about feeding live for the sole reason that it is fun to watch, I can only understand if he has no choice. And some know it alls should really think before they post. You want to make a compelling argument use reason, thought and facts, not useless examples that are in no way related to each other.

[joey]

I couldn't get the email link to open.

I've been feeding my ball python 2 mices per meal---tonight I go up to 3. She really loves them. Well, she never leaves any left-overs. lol :bounce:

[hbwright]

Joey, Please e-mail me and I'll be glad to give you her information. You can use the link in my profile for my e-mail. She has already said she would like to help you convert.

[newticus]

never mind, i can't unpost

[boidboi]

this is about the fasination about watching snakes eat i feed all my snakes F/T but i use tongs and put the mouse/rat around so the snake has to strike at itand in most cases in coils around just as it would if you fed live but this way both humane for the rat and reptile so every one wins

and for the guy that was talk about the serial killers reptiles 4 me i believe
just because people find the way snakes eat interesting doesnt mean that there deranged pyschos or serial killers

[End Times]

I think everyone got a little too "emotional" on this one. If you're going to own multiple snakes, feeding live is an inevitability. Some snakes WILL NOT take F/T or P/K and that's all there is to it. I have a male ball that will touch nothing buy live, adult mice. And very recently, I've just added two '05 females to my collection. I have yet to feed them, but was told they are taking live mice at this time. Will I feed them live? You bet. They're too small at this point for me to feel comfortable to take on the F/T battle. I will offer F/T, but if they decline I will not hold out. They'll get their live. Maybe when they are bigger I will be more diligent in the task of getting them to F/T.

[Bluzmn59]

this is about the fasination about watching snakes eat i feed all my snakes F/T but i use tongs and put the mouse/rat around so the snake has to strike at itand in most cases in coils around just as it would if you fed live but this way both humane for the rat and reptile so every one wins

and for the guy that was talk about the serial killers reptiles 4 me i believe
just because people find the way snakes eat interesting doesnt mean that there deranged pyschos or serial killers

I use the tong method as well. I really like to watch them strike and throw coils - it is fascinating. I do not believe in feeding live, though, so I guess I escape being a serial killer.

[-okapi-]

For the snakes cut, keep it clean and it should heal fine. If you use a substrate besides newspaper, it would be a good idea to switch to that, or cover the cut with a piece of gauze and a little tape.

For the people attacking Justin0:
I dont think she over reacted, I think she has good pet keeping ethics.

Its just as "fun" to watch a python eat a F/T prey item, they do the same exact thing as if it was alive. No threat to python, parasites are killed, no unneccessary suffering, and besides, herpetologists frown upon feeding live prey unless it is 100% neccessary, which in some instances it is, but it doesnt sound like it in this situation. It sounds more like he likes to see things kill eachother.
Its people like him who give herp keepers a bad name (see the feeder thread by the rat breeder).

[reptiles4me]

What I said was a reaction to justin0 making the comment that the original poster was probably a serial killer for liking to watch his snake feed live. I never said that people who like to watch snakes eat, whether it be live or F/T, were serial killers. In fact I said I knew many people who liked to watch and weren't serial killers.