Thinking about feeding LIVE? Welcome to the Live Pile

[HERPHAPPY]

Originally Posted by DiamondCreek

I'm not trying to rub anything in anyone's face. I thought this was a place for discussion, but maybe I was wrong.
And no, feeding live is not "wrong" any more than feeding pre-kill or F/T is "right". It simply different ways to achieve the same end, namely food in the snake's stomach.
I also think it has a lot to do with the individual snake. My Red Tail, for instance, is nearly 100% in his young life for getting the "facial strike" and a great coil. I will likely switch to pre-kill for my Ball Python when she moves up to rats, though, because she is greedy and careless and has a really small percentage of facial strikes.

Have you ever been camping man? Things that you may not even like (Dinty Moore beef stew comes to mind, lol...) taste so good when you are REALLY hungry!
And maybe that is the difference between your pet snake and one in the wild who is "workin' for a livin'..."!!! The extra motivation likely helps win a majority of the dinner battles....
Hey, why take our word for it? Ask a good reptile vet how many snakes they have to patch up...and how many they can't save!!! What really sucks is that cold-blooded critters like our snakes are not so easily treated and healed once injured.... (it's also not so cheap!!!) And when your snake gets older???? they slow down, like we all do! Slip-ups happen...only in the wild, they die of infections and you don't have to watch, as you will with your pet!

[louise]

Originally Posted by Sita

I would like to share my story. It's not a horror story, just my experiences.

My family had a BCI (Huggy ) from before I was born to my sophomore year of high school, at which point my dad gave him away . We always fed live rodents. Before we moved to Ohio when I was 8, my dad would raise mice in the basement for him. I don't remember what he did with the extras, but I do remember always being excited to go down and see if we had any new babies.

When we moved, we didn't have the space to raise them, so for several years, we went the pet store route. When I was 11 or 12, I found out my dad had had a pet rat when he was younger, so of course I asked for one. The rat we selected happened to be pregnant, and even though she turned into the most evil rat in the universe after having babies, I asked my father if I could raise rats for Huggy. For the rest of the time we had him, I raised his food myself. Of course, I had my pets (which were usually the breeders) that would die of old age, and I had the feeders. I had already started to consider Huggy my own and took care of him accordingly; cleaning the cage, handling him, etc. I take joy in reminding my father and brother of the fact that even though I handled Huggy easily 10 x as often, I was never bitten, and they'd both been bitten twice. I've wanted another snake since the day he got rid of Huggy.

I always was aware of the fact that the rats could bite, and would watch the entire process, partly to protect Huggy, and partly because I was fascinated. He was a very good striker, always hit the head and wrapped accordingly. He could be a little slow at times at deciding whether or not he wanted the rat, but in hindsight, it could very well have been that he was just waiting for the right moment to strike. In all the years we had him, he was never bitten badly enough to scar. A few nips here and there, but they always disappeared with his next shed. There was only 1-2 times I can remember that I even needed to step in with my stick.

NOW, I have Ryuu, my baby boy BCI! In the 10 years between Huggy and Ryuu, I learned a lot. Ryuu was started on F/T pinkie rats, and I was so nervous at the first feeding that he wouldn't take it, and then was so amused when he just moseyed on up to it, sniffed a bunch, and just opened his mouth! I was expecting a strike or something, but now 6 feedings later, the only time he's ever struck was halfheartedly at the glass when my cat ran by at full speed a few feet away (the tank was on the floor for a few minutes at the time).

Maybe it'll change as he grows, but given his nonchalance about his food, I don't think I could ever risk live feeding him. I'm not sure he'd figure it out! I definitely appreciate not having to watch the rodent die; something that I always apologized to the rodent for at the time!

Hope ya'll didn't mind the novel, just wanted to share my experiences!

i am very glad you feed your new snake F/T cause the only thing people can accomplish by watching is to see your snake get hurt or killed. it all happens in a blink of an eye. i LOVE the name huggy for a snake. that is awesome.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[HERPHAPPY]

Originally Posted by louise

..... i LOVE the name huggy for a snake. that is awesome.

Me too!

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[Icicle]

I rarely post on this thread.

I still can not grasp at the idea of someone wanting to feed live for the thrill factor.
I do understand when people must feed live and only to certain snakes who will not eat anything else.
if people are so thrilled on watching live prey being hunted, then they should get some piranhas and stick there hand in their tank to feed them a live meal.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[louise]

Originally Posted by Icicle

I rarely post on this thread.

I still can not grasp at the idea of someone wanting to feed live for the thrill factor.
I do understand when people must feed live and only to certain snakes who will not eat anything else.
if people are so thrilled on watching live prey being hunted, then they should get some piranhas and stick there hand in their tank to feed them a live meal.

perfectly said!

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[HERPHAPPY]

Originally Posted by Icicle

....I still can not grasp at the idea of someone wanting to feed live for the thrill factor.
I do understand when people must feed live and only to certain snakes who will not eat anything else.
if people are so thrilled on watching live prey being hunted, then they should get some piranhas and stick there hand in their tank to feed them a live meal.

Last year I took in a bp from a guy moving out of state (later rehoming it to a young man who is the grandson of my vet and works in his clinic); the guy wasn't real comfortable handling the snake (his gf was...) and he confessed to me that the real reason he got it was because he 'HATES RODENTS'!?!?! (what could I say? I just got the poor snake out of there!)

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[DiamondCreek]

Funny thing is, my granddaughter calls my Red Tail "Huggy Bear". And here I thought that was original.

I've been giving this a lot of thought since I originally posted in this thread. And I have to agree that taking a chance with live rats is too much of a chance to take. While I'm convinced that snakes have no emotions, especially not the type that dogs have and make no attachments to us, I'm pretty attached to them. I'll soon be making an order with Rodent Pro.

What I don't want to happen is the nonchalant "sidle and swallow" thing that some describe about older snakes fed a lifelong diet of F/T. My snakes will probably still get the occasional live mouse that I raise myself just to keep a proper feeding response going. I just don't see a mouse as that much of a danger to a larger snake.

I want to thank everyone for being firm in expressing your views without it all turning into a flame session. Thanks again.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[DiamondCreek]

Originally Posted by Icicle

I still can not grasp at the idea of someone wanting to feed live for the thrill factor.

Ever watch stuff on Animal Planet? Same concept, except it is live right in your on home.

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[louise]

Originally Posted by DiamondCreek

Ever watch stuff on Animal Planet? Same concept, except it is live right in your on home.

my daughter laughs cause put my hands over my eyes when something is killing something on animals planet.

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[nitram]

is it bad for a snake to lose it's feeding response?
ive a snake that will not take off the tongs, i have to leave it in front of her enclosure. she takes it in the middle of the night while no one is looking. i always thought she was just prissy like that.
i would prefer her to take it off tongs, but i dont really mind it this way either.
if anything i like her more calm disposition vs my other boas that are all with their faces against the glass sizing me down thinking theyre going to get fed lol.

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[Sakara]

I don't have one snake that has lost it's feeding response because it was fed frozen thawed.... not the bp, not any boa, not any retic... and if you think that they lose their feeding response, I invite you to attempt to feed any of them without tongs

even my sweetest most relaxed snakes have killer feeding responses! and if I just throw it in to let them find it, they still get that crazy look in their eyes and when they find it they hit it and wrap.

so I deff. don't believe that feeding frozen causes a snake to lose it's feeding response... that's just an excuse ppl make to have a "reason" to feed live

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[louise]

all mine still act crazed when eating too and my DUM and candoia has never seen live in their livesand they still strike and coil. i dont know what my BP has seen cause he is a rescue but he strikes and coils and chance has never struck anything in her life, not prey or a person.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[Ophiophilia]

All of my snakes have good feeding responses and they've never been on live in my care.

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[DiamondCreek]

I have to admit I like to watch the strike and wrap. I just do. However, if they ever stopped that behavior, I'd still enjoy my snakes. Point well taken.

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[morti]

All of mine but one still strike and wrap. The only one that doesn't actually injured himself several years ago (swallowed half his jaw) and he has been a gentle feeder ever since.

Come over to our house some time and watch the black headed pythons eat. You will wish for less feeding response.

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[Icicle]

Originally Posted by DiamondCreek

Ever watch stuff on Animal Planet? Same concept, except it is live right in your on home.

And this is the solely the reason I don't watch Animal Planet.
Both my bci's strike hard and coil strong at f/t, both my bp's strike hard and coil strong at f/t, my jcp has striped the skin from f/t rats tail off my12" tweezers from her strikes and coils in about .05 sec after attaching her mouth to f/t rat. my corn snake still strikes at f/t meals.
There is nothing you can say to me or show me to change my feeding habits.

I just hope your snake will live without too much pain from live rat bites.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Corn Snake The Corn Snake or Red Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata) is a species of Rat Snake.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia Spilota)

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[DiamondCreek]

Originally Posted by Icicle

And this is the solely the reason I don't watch Animal Planet.
Both my bci's strike hard and coil strong at f/t, both my bp's strike hard and coil strong at f/t, my jcp has striped the skin from f/t rats tail off my12" tweezers from her strikes and coils in about .05 sec after attaching her mouth to f/t rat. my corn snake still strikes at f/t meals.
There is nothing you can say to me or show me to change my feeding habits.

I just hope your snake will live without too much pain from live rat bites.

Most folks have stated their opinions firmly, but still managed a cordial air about it. There is no reason for you to be any different. I would suggest you read the thread some before carrying on. I have stated that I will be switching to F/T and had already stated before that that I had planned to do this for my Ball who carelessly strikes any part of her prey and rarely gets the head.

While you unscrew yourself from the ceiling, I'll be getting in touch with Rodent Pro.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Corn Snake The Corn Snake or Red Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata) is a species of Rat Snake.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia Spilota)

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Icicle]

Originally Posted by DiamondCreek

Most folks have stated their opinions firmly, but still managed a cordial air about it. There is no reason for you to be any different. I would suggest you read the thread some before carrying on. I have stated that I will be switching to F/T and had already stated before that that I had planned to do this for my Ball who carelessly strikes any part of her prey and rarely gets the head.

While you unscrew yourself from the ceiling, I'll be getting in touch with Rodent Pro.

I have read this entire thread, and I seen so many people just say they are going to switch over and never do until there snakes get bit.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[louise]

double post

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[louise]

i am not even sure why people care if their snakes lose their feeding response. i mean look at it from a human point of view....wouldn''t you rather be sitting at home at the table or on the couch and your meal be brought to you? ready to eat? or would you rather have to go hunt your meal, clean your meal and then prepare your meal? i mean bring my food on. i dont want to go through all the hassle of that other stuff just to eat.
and nobody tell me because it is natural or because it is what they do in the wild. if i recall man use tohave to hunt for his food. most people prefer to go to the grocery store and get it

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