Live or Frozen? - Page 2

djc3674 · 05-21-03, 11:44 PM

I have a 6ft Columbia Boa and have never had a problem with the rats attacking my snake....what chance do they have? my boa is a pig and never refuses to eat. I do normally stun them first and hold them up above him so he gets the head first. But sometimes I let him attack his prey the good ole fasion way. Supervised ofcourse! (sorry to those who dont like feeding live...too bad!) I'm really not too keen on keeping frozen rats in the freezer next to the tater tots..then having to thaw them out. Much easier to go to the pet store which is 2 miles from my house..and pick out a nice live jumbo rat. btw...i am awaiting a baby Hogg Island boa..anyone interested in a Hogg...go to www.pmherps.com He has '03 hoggs for sale born end of April..BEAUTIFUL!!!.

ThEmAdHaTtEr · 05-22-03, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mykee
You know, in your perfect little world, all snakes eat f/t or f/k. I have been feeding 1/2 of my BP collection live, restrained and NEVER a problem. You should all count your lucky stars that you have BP's that ALL eat dead. As for feeding live, I know of three well-known breeders that feed live, so think before you start ripping on people. Ignorance is contagious.

This is why I kept saying that my posts were not ment to offend anyone. I really dont care whether you feed live or frozen, I was just curious as to the statistics of it on these forums. As to the risk, it happens. Theres no way you can prevent a rat from attacking unless you stun it, and even with that there is a small chance. ANd you should count YOUR lucky stars that your snakes are still alive and well. As to Djc's post, if the snake gets the rat towards to back or something and NOT by the head/neck, the rat can jerk itself around and get the snake on the neck. Not good. Alright I'm done ranting.

drewlowe · 05-22-03, 11:34 AM

killa clown how do you know your snakes wouldn't eat frozen/thawed mice have you tried. I though the same thing as you (that my snakes are used to live) But the first time i tried sure enough they ate them with no problems. Give it a try it cant hurt anything. It can only benifit your snakes health.

you wouldn't warm up a mouse in the microwave. lol. You put them in a plastic bag and soak them in hot water. and you can buy already frozen mice or you can kill them yourself and freeze them for a few hours. or however long you need to. And feeding them f/t is not for our benifets its for the snakes. And to kill a mouse is so easy, I thought i wouldn't be able to do it but all it takes is one firm flick to the back of the neck and they twitch around for a bit and then they are off to dream land.

SD-SNAKE · 05-22-03, 12:46 PM

some of my snake will eat (pre-killed) because there feeding response is that good others will only eat live. I raise my own rats. I thank mykee for his truthful comments. take care fellow herpers Nick

tai_pan1 · 05-22-03, 02:04 PM

I feed both. I raise my own mice, so I don't worry about parasites. My two garters will only take live pinkies or live worms. I have a stubborn corn who went three months without eating. It got to the point where I had to force feed her. I finally tried live for her and it's the only reliable way for me to get her to eat. My other 4 corns all take f/t, but I wouldn't hesitate to feed them live if I needed to. I know there are concerns about the "health and welfare" of snake who are fed live, and that there is a possibility that things can go wrong. There is also a possibility that an engine can fall off an airplane and land in your living room. It has happened, but the possibilities are extremely remote.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Mike

Emily-Fisher · 05-22-03, 02:26 PM

PRE-KILLED! It's only logic to take care of a snake that you love rather than killing a snake that you love! Pre-killed and fts are the only way.

djc3674 · 05-22-03, 10:28 PM

there wasn't any offense taken. I guess it's a matter of opinion and choice as to how people want to feed there animals. I agree if the snake doesnt bite him correctly, the snake can definately get bitten. I do supervise w/ a stick in hand so I can keep the rats head away from him if he doesnt get him correctly. But as me for me "counting my lucky stars"?? Give me a break, boas are killing machines w/ tough skin, nobody pre-kills there food for them in the wild and hand feeds them. As far as leaving live prey in the tank and walking away...NEVER. I saw the pic of that BP that was practically eaten by its prey. BP's do refuse to eat sometimes and that will happen when the rat gets hungry. My boa however, eats everytime, right away, the rat barely has time to blink and its in the coils of a 6ft Killa!

Later,

djc

ThEmAdHaTtEr · 05-22-03, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by djc3674
"counting my lucky stars"?? Give me a break, boas are killing machines w/ tough skin, nobody pre-kills there food for them in the wild and hand feeds them.

Very very true. But, they also get killed by rodents in the wild as well..It happens I guess, I just dont want it to happen to my snake. I guess it is opinion. I would just feed live or FT any day. I dont understand why people would feed live if they know for sure that their snake will take F/T. Yep.