4 mice vs 1 BT: Mice=0, BT=1

Itachi · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 08:40 PM

So i baught 4 live small mice for Apollo today to give him some excerise and to see his reaction. I was quite surprised by what he did. I dropped the mice in there and he flew off his basking spot and went full speed at the first mouse he saw. He attacked it and shook it visciously around by the head, throwing blood everywhere. At this point, i'm like "....whoa....".

So he kills the first mouse, but doesn't eat it, he leave it there in a bloody mass of fur. He then sprints to the other mouse and chases them around kills the next one. He swallows this one and then plays a game of hide-n-seek with the 2 remaining mice. He eventually corners one of them, reguratates the one he ate, attacks and kills the live one, and leaves both of them dead. He then goes after the last one and finally grabs it by the back and shakes it around and blood is now all over the cage and stuff.

He kills it, then eats it, and then goes searching for the other ones he killed earlier. He only eats 3 of the 4 mice and then eats some crickets that are in the cage.

Lucille · #2 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 08:46 PM

It seems like I heard somewhere that rodents should be stunned or prekilled prior to offer? Most of the time mice don't win but occasionally there will be a bite or scratch.

I feed f/t with good results and do not have to worry about rodent damage at all.

Itachi · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 08:58 PM

Mice aren't really a threat, but Rats are. It also allows the monitor to get some excersise and practice hunting/killing. Overall, it just depends on the keepers preference. I don't feed live mice all the time, just maybe 2-3 times a month.

lethargiic · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itachi

Mice aren't really a threat, but Rats are.

the key to that statement is "aren't really"...either they are a threat or they're not. besides its like saying rats arent any more dangerous than rabbits...

but anywho.. if i were you, i would watch ur bt with that regurge too..

Itachi · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 09:41 PM

I already know why he regurgetated it back up. He hadn't fully swallowed it yet cause the tail was still sticking out. He spit it out so he could kill the other mouse.

And I said aren't really threat as in the context if you leave them in there overnight or whatever without food, they will bite your monitor while it sleeps. I've only ever heard of rats or anything bigger ever giving a monitor problems which is why I WONT feed him live rats. Also, i'm only feeding him live mice like I said for excersise until he gets big enough to allow him free roam of the house.

slayer{ed2} · #6 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 10:34 PM

All i can say is i've never had any problems feeding my snakes or sav monitor live animals. Well i should say i've never one of my reptiles get hurt in the process but i always keep close watch and i've got these sticks i use to keep any thing bad from happening to my reptiles. But i do prefer they eat pre-killed i usually only feed live when they wont eat.

blkcrochunter · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-2005, 02:00 AM

I think p/k or f/t are safer, a monitor is going to grab the prey on the closest body part. So if he grabs it on the back end your leaving the head of the mouse to do what it likes. The first thing the mouse is going to do is bite, leaving your monitor's eyes open for attack. Dont take offense to what I am saying, and I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. But I view my herps like family, and I would do what I can to keep them safe. They didnt ask to be there, you put them there so make thier lives as comfortable as can be.

Advertisement