Just Realized I Have a Moral Problem with Feeding Live

[Zoe]

Yes, I agree. I'm sure a snake would be happier in the wild. But there are things in the wild that put the snake in danger. WHy subject the snake to those dangers in captivity to? I mean, why not just give them all parasites and put hawks and so on inside the cage with them? Obviously no one is going to

considering what we are doing to ourselves and our planet, YEAH I would rather live in the jungle with wild animals than live with other humans...

Oh yes, I agree. But I was refering to how we WOULD be living if we were in the wild (prehistorically, of course).

But I dont agree about people who is making it bad to give live prey to the snake, knowing that they are built for this

I reiterate: In the wild, the rodent has plenty of chances to escape. In captivity, the only choice a rodent has is to try and fight. That is where the greatest danger lies.

And finally, I dont think that snake was chokin

Nor did I, but it would be easy to see how one could that impression if the snake appeared to be stuck on the rat, writhing about and so on.

I think the mistake was pretty obvious, and LadyHawk has even acknowledged it. But it was a mistake, an easy one to make for a newbie, and I DONT think she deserved to be berated for it.

[PoiSoNouS]

Zoe:
In a cage or in the wild, a snake put in front of a rodent have as many chances to get bit than in the wild..
And by this im saying that, once the snake caught it.. the rodent still can have a chance to bit the snake in the cage or out of it..
I have a burmese python that only wanted live food for awhile, even when she caught it.. she got bit.. it would have been the same in the wild. Even if they have great instincts, they still can do mistakes too...

A snake thats doesnt want to eat a live prey given to him wont attack it, and you can see it quicly when they wont, so you do have a chance to get it out of the snake's cage so it wont get attacked by the rodent..
Thats what I meant..

[Zoe]

Of course, but some people will just leave the live rat in there and leave the room. When that happens, and the snake isnt interested, if the rat is hungry or afraid, then the snake is in real danger (i mean, moreso than bites resulting from being constricted).

So why feed live at all? With baby rats/mice, then sure, and the only concern that comes into play is the state of the rodent itself.

Zoe

[NewLineReptile]

This is what Zoe said........

If I was in constant danger of predators and possibly cannibalism, extreme temps, drowning, storms, etc, not sure where my next meal would come from, then I think I would like to stay in a suitable caged environment, all my needs being met? I dunno, maybe I cherish health and safety over freedom (and maybe I'm just lazy!)


You live in "TORONTO" your in danger. So come on up Zoe i will get a cage ready for you.........LOL J/K

Brandon

[PoiSoNouS]

Originally posted by Zoe
[B]Of course, but some people will just leave the live rat in there and leave the room. When that happens, and the snake isnt interested, if the rat is hungry or afraid, then the snake is in real danger (i mean, moreso than bites resulting from being constricted).

Sure that some people are irresponsible enough to let their snake alone with live prey.
it should NEVER happend but yet, some people are doing it and cries because their snake was injured or even worse, died.
And I think those people shouldnt have snakes at all....

So why feed live at all?

Some snakes wont take anything dead, its the owner's responsibility to be there when they are feeding their snakes with live preys... When you have no choice you only need to be responsible enough to supervise the live feeding... that's ALL... its not that complicated... I still dont understand why again many people wont act in consequences...


At some point it this hobby, you have to make a choice, its the rat or the snake, if you are not ready to deal with the ways of nature, then snakes are not meant for you.... Thats what i think about it..

[marisa]

I agree.

I think the bigger problem here is anyone (not just thread starter) really underestimanting food sizes. Lately on forums, this one and others I can't belive how small a prey item is being offered still. I can understand peoples reluctance to feed something a bit bigger, but snakes can eat 1.5 times their widest girth very safely and even more if need be. My new born snakes all took three day old pinkies as a first meal, sure they were large but they got them down and have all digested these "huge" meals. Its amazing what snakes can do.

Marisa

[Zoe]

lol! Yeah, there are lots of dangerous things in Toronto! Smog, racoons, um, pigeons.

Hey, I said IF I was in such danger. Doesn't my apt count as a cage? Frankly, I'd rather NOT leave it if possible

Zoe

[djc3674]

sn't my apt count as a cage? Frankly, I'd rather NOT leave it if possible

Zoe..so who lives the "sheltered life"?? :-/

[lordkovacs]

wow, some interesting points. I'm not sure why people keep bringing up the fact that you have to "do what's best for the snake". Obviously, we don't need to keep saying this.

At least the negative posts about ladyhawk's original thread starter has ceased. that's good.

I agree with poisonous when he said the people that leave their snake alone with live prey shouldn't own a snake, barring special circumstances. reason being, both the prey and the predator have nowhere to escape to. it is a set up for disaster. the snake, which we obviously have more affection towards, is put in danger... not wise. I guess some person may argue otherwise, but I just don't buy it personally.

Doug, do you really take that literally, what zoe said about wanting to stay in her apartment? I don't think that was meant to be literal.

Anyway all, good thread. some heated debate, which is always good. so long as we don't let it get to the point where anger overcomes our senses. This is a community of sharing, not insulting. Let's keep it that way.

Cheers all, have a great day.
MIKE

[djc3674]

it doesnt really matter how she meant it..I am done replying to this thread...laterzzzz

[TheRedDragon]

Originally posted by marisa


I think the bigger problem here is anyone (not just thread starter) really underestimanting food sizes.

Thank-you! I am so sick of people underestimating and warning not to feed prey that is larger than the snake's girth. I mean, my 6ft corn can take down two Jumbo mice without a problem, and honestly, I'm sure that he could swallow a juvenile rat if we offered one to him. Our 4ft BCI is taking down baby rabbits without a problem, and they're far wider than his girth. I honestly think that a lot of people are underfeeding their snakes. :grumps:

[Delighted2b]

This a great example of why NOT to post on this forum. I haven't posted much on here for exactly this reason. Someone makes a mistake and admits it on this forum and all she gets is jumped on and verbally abused..... what's the point of this forum? I thought that "We pride ourselves in our friendly, family like member base that can be found in our community forums". I guess I was wrong... along with the Administrators.
Danielle

[lordkovacs]

exactly, deilighted. some people are so aggressive in their posts that you can scare someone from posting..then how are they gonna learn? actually, if they get scared off, then they will continue to do what they are doing wrong, which isn't good for the reptile. so, in effect you are hurting herp keeping in a small way by being so nasty...think about it. you are right delighted.
MIKE

[lordkovacs]

reddragon...you're right. my 5.5' female corn feeds on med. sized rats!!! crazy eh? she's a big corn though...very big girth....and she's only 2.5 years old!

[Invictus]

Aggressive in their posts? I'll KILL the next person who suggests there is any aggression here!!!!! AAAAARGH!!!!!