does feeding live mice contribute to aggressive behavior?

sillypaperrabbit · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 10:04 PM

I just got a Ball python and i have been feeding it live mice. My friend told me that feeding it live mice will make the snake more aggressive and that if i want my snake to be tamed, i should kill the mice myself and feed my snake dead mice instead. Is this true? and if so, how should i kill the mice (cuz i can't have frozen mice in our freezer) [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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eddie · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 10:17 PM

Some say it can lead to aggressive behavior and others will say nay.
The number one reason to NOT feed live is RIGHT HERE!

Also live feedings do lead to internal parasites, even fresh killed has the eventual problem of parasites.
Frozen is best, but if there is no way to keep frozen, then you have to do what you can.

To kill them, several ways can be employed.
The cleanest ( for the squemish ) is with a CO2 chamber.
It's only cost effective if you are doing a lot at once.

Pillow case method.
You put the mouse/rat in a pillow case and whack it on a hard surface such as a sidewalk or counter top.

Cervical dislocation.
Take a steel rod and pin the rodents head to the floor or a counter top, pinning it at the neck. Grab it's tail and give a strong yank straight up.
If you hear a crunch, ya did it right. Granted, sometimes the feeder is twitching for a few minutes afterwards, but no worry, it is feeling NO pain. It's only nerv energy being used.

A variation of this is to put the feeders head under your heel and pull up the same way.

And last but not least, welcome to Redtail, Silly Wabbit!

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XzyluM · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 10:17 PM

Definately convert from feeding live to pre-killed since you can't have frozen rodents in the freezer. Feeding live can result in harm and even death to your snake. There is several ways to kill rodents. You could put their head on a flat object then grab their tail and jerk upward with force and it will dislocated their spine and kill them. Put them in a pillow case and whack them against the wall. There's a few others which I'm sure others will be around to describe. Handling your snake daily will keep him calm and tame.
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Stormyva · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 10:17 PM

Simply put..... switch to frozen/thawed.
Not even taking into consideration the possibility that the snake could possibly be more aggresive by feeding live you will run a higher risk of parasites and other problems. The parasites can survive being frozen making f/t safer.
At a bare minimum make sure you pre-kill anything that is put in the feed box with your new python. A mouse or rat can do a lot of damage to your snake.

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eddie · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 10:21 PM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>Posted: Oct 07, 2002 - 04:17 PM </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

This is my SECOND jinx today!
A few more and I'll have a lifetime supply of coca-cola!
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eddie · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 10:26 PM

Oh yeah, I'll wait till you reply back before I move this one to the feeding forum!
You're new here so ya don't get the standard post in correct forums post from me today! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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sillypaperrabbit · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 11:16 PM

thanks guys for all your help... okay i'll try and post in the correct forum.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

-spr-
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DeadIrishD · #8 (**permalink**) 08-27-2005, 06:14 AM

I don't think it would make them more agressive, perhaps a better term would be to higher their feeding responce?

ball python chick · #9 (**permalink**) 08-27-2005, 07:22 AM

whats up with the dates? old thread?

DeadIrishD · #10 (**permalink**) 08-27-2005, 07:29 AM

whoa.... I didn't realise it was that old when I posted...... it was listed on the bottom so I read it, and posted my reply, sorry.

Schwartz · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 08:52 PM

Very Old

JuliusSqueezer · #12 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:08 PM

Oh well...since it's resurected lol...It won't make them more aggressive but it might make them dead, injured or full of worms.

Schwartz · #13 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:10 PM

Usually the chances of getting bitten are a lil lower.

Schwartz · #14 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliusSqueezer

Oh well...since it's resurected lol...It won't make them more aggressive but it might make them dead, injured or full of worms.

I was bored....

wreckwriter · #15 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:10 PM

We should never miss the chance to start a good contintious live feeding thread.

Schwartz · #16 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:12 PM

I hear you.

louise · #17 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:17 PM

i know it makes me more aggressive when i read people feed live!

Schwartz · #18 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise

i know it makes me more aggressive when i read people feed live!

Thats hot...lol

Jem_Scout · #19 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 11:18 PM

I knew you would be in here somewhere Louise!

louise · #20 (**permalink**) 10-06-2005, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jem_Scout

I knew you would be in here somewhere Louise!

yep as soon as i quit banging my head on the wall i replied. dont people ever learn?

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