Curiosity

[Sapphyr]

So, I've just got a simple little question that may not be smiled upon, but it's actually my mother's question. I couldn't care one way or another, but my mother has always wondered if the pinkies, fuzzies, mice, rats, etc. that are frozen were just thrown in a freezer, euthanized(or similar methods), or died naturally or from some form of illness(genetic or otherwise).

I'm an animal lover like she is, but mother nature is mother nature in my eyes, so I accept it for what it is. Besides, mice only live a year, and it was gonna happen one way or another, right?

[derekcm87]

I do believe some people just throw them in a freezer, but MOST use co2 to kill them.. I too am a huge animal lover and absolutely hate to see any animal suffering for any reason. I do believe co2 is probably the most humane way to do it. Let me put it this way I think is more humane than throwing it into a snakes cage live and allowing the snake to bite it in the face with a hundred razor sharp, hook shaped teeth and violently squeeze it.

[Sapphyr]

I do believe some people just throw them in a freezer, but MOST use co2 to kill them.. I too am a huge animal lover and absolutely hate to see any animal suffering for any reason. I do believe co2 is probably the most humane way to do it. Let me put it this way I think is more humane than throwing it into a snakes cage live and allowing the snake to bite it in the face with a hundred razor sharp, hook shaped teeth and violently squeeze it.

Ahhh. I figured euthanizing all those mice would be a tad pricey. Probably would have jacked up the market for 'em if that the case, but I don't really know the average price for that stuff in the first place. Plus, I don't know, I've had a cat euthanized before, nothing could be done for her, and I know it's a liquid.. so if it were injected into feeder mice/rats, I'd suppose it could be harmful if eaten by other animals. So, yeah, using CO2 is probably the next best thing, just tossin' 'em in a freezer seems a little harsh.

And I suppose, if you put it that way.. but you know things like that happens all the time in nature, I'd be more concerned about the mouse or rat harming the snake than it being consumed; having a horrible way to die. Each to their own, though.

Thanks for the answer.~ :>

[Will0W783]

In the case of feeder rodents, you would not want to use a drug, because the snake would eat the rodent and ingest whatever drug you used to euthanize the rodent along with it. That could be fatal to the snake. The rodents you buy from large chain companies like Rodent Pro are all mass euthanized in huge CO2 tanks. Some smaller rodent suppliers use cervical dislocation (breaking the neck), or throat slit to kill their rodents. Freezing live rodents would be a terrible, painful way to die as all their blood and the water in the cells would crystallize. It would be agonizing and completely unfair and I can't imagine anyone selling frozen rodents would do it that way. But honestly, I don't ask- I'd rather not know.

[Jenn_06]

i euthanize my rats using CO2, you can always ask the people you get your rats from how they euthanize.

[Sapphyr]

Ahhhh. I just buy Petsmart's 'Arctic Mice'. No blood or anything, they just look like they layed down and died or some sort. I couldn't personally kill my own feeder mice/rats. I've actually owned rats before, and they're pretty decent pets. It's just some have a rather unpleasant attitude, like my last one, but most of mine have been relatively pleasant.

[infernalis]

All mass produced (name brand) feeders are gassed with CO2.

[Sapphyr]

All mass produced (name brand) feeders are gassed with CO2.

Yeeeeyyyy! 'Cause knowledge is power! :D .. Yes, I know I'm strange.

and for the one with the evil monkey in Chris' closet after coming home from his job to a horrible sight, 'The More You Know!' I watch too much Family Guy.

[Ringo2011]

Rats do make great pets..although i only feed my snake live mice or rats..same as snakes i have previously owned. It just seems more natural for the snake and i have never had a snake damaged by their food.

[Reptile_Reptile]

it can happen tho ringo. there are literally no pros to live feeding its a selfish choice (not trying to be rude) if you havnt at least tried F/T or at least stunning the prey item. its cruel to the prey and dangerous to your snake. and its your job to eliminate any threat to your charges, they didnt chose you. you forced them into your care just remember that.
im sorry just live feeding irks me

[mld]

it can happen tho ringo. there are literally no pros to live feeding its a selfish choice (not trying to be rude) if you havnt at least tried F/T or at least stunning the prey item. its cruel to the prey and dangerous to your snake. and its your job to eliminate any threat to your charges, they didnt chose you. you forced them into your care just remember that.
im sorry just live feeding irks me

I agree with you, why take the chance, a rat can easily kill a snake, its defending it self.
Co2 all the way, humane for both the feeder and safer for the snake!

[Damion930]

Thers nothing natural about keeping a snake eating is eating and ur snake needs to eat ft or live is realy up to u but I do have to agree with reptile ther are no pros to live unless ur snake won't eat ft

[Reptile_Reptile]

and really whats natural about a creature living in a glass box with manufacture hides constantly supplied water source and a light bulb acting as a surrogate sun. these snakes are not tame but they defiantly arent wild. and whats natural about raising a rodent just to put it into the face of death.

[serpentshideawa]

I buy live and kill them myself i dont do ft cus of the fuzzy pets that run the house so cant just leave one to thaw

[Lankyrob]

I have lots of fuzzy pets too, i just defrost the prey items in a cupboard overnight and put the cats out before actually feeding the snakes.

[Sapphyr]

I generally have my frozen fuzzies with me as they thaw and keep an eye on it so my cats don't try and nom on it, so it's not really an issue for me.

[Aaron_S]

I just toss all my frozen rodents in a rubbermaid container with warm water. Leave them for awhile, change the water, leave them again, change the water then feed 15 minutes later.