FT/Live myth...

bpkid · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:36 AM

Ok, this is for people who aren't going to act childish.

Ok, if your snake won't take F/T for whatever reason, why is it not good to feed live? I am NOT trying to start a war or anything, but I beleive that live, when fed correctly and responsibly, can be safe.

Louise, you are one of the coolest people I know and the story of Chance is heartwarming. I'm sure that you got Chance from someone who fed her (I think, lol, I'm sorry I forget whether its a he or she) live.... irresponsibly.

If your snake takes F/T, go for it, but I hate when people say there is a HUGE chance(no pun intended.) that your snake is going to get bit by a live mouse. How many people here had a snake that got bitten in YOUR care, while YOU, a responsible owner, fed live?

Now I'm not saying you are irresponsible for the snake getting bitten, but if the snake is a problem feeder, you should know to watch and help out your snake if something goes wrong.

Now I know I'm going to get flamed, but I had to get it off my chest.

Radical · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:40 AM

When you're feeding your snake live prey, you are risking its life and well being.

Live prey can and does bite back, and if you haven't figured that out yet you're not adequately suited to be a snake owner.

Especially when there is plenty of evidence and stories of snakes getting injured, infected, and even killed because of live prey.

It only takes a split second and the snake missing the head or constricting wrong to get bitten, and once it's bitten that can become infected and can kill your pet.

So when you're feeding live prey you're taking unneccessary risks that could jeopardize the safety and well being of your pet.

bpkid · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radical

Live prey can and does bite back, and if you haven't figured that out yet you're not adequately suited to be a snake owner.

Hmm, it can, but the way you say it, you are saying it will happen.

So since I feed live, I'm not suited to be a snake owner??? I'm sorry, but I don't beleive that if my snake is healthy, eats every week, and sheds perfectly all the time, that I am not suited to be a snake owner.

And thanks for keeping this thread civilized, as this is a touchy subject for alot of folks. You tha man!

Radical · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:46 AM

I'm not saying it will happen, but the fact is that there is always the chance that it can happen, and is that the kinds of risks that you're willing to take?

bpkid · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:51 AM

Yes, There are risks, but like I said, when done responsibly, it can be just as safe as F/T.

Radical · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:53 AM

That's absolutely wrong.

With f/t the prey can't bite back or scratch your snake.

bpkid · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radical

That's absolutely wrong.

With f/t the prey can't bite back or scratch your snake.

Yes, I said, there can be risks, but sometimes, a snake isn't going to take F/T, are you going to starve it because of that????

Radical · #8 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:57 AM

All snakes will take f/t, it just takes patience and persistance.

MAG_Pythons · #9 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:58 AM

one of my ball pythons got bit by a larg mouse behind her head, i didn't think it would happen either, but it does

bpkid · #10 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radical

All snakes will take f/t, it just takes patience and persistance.

YES! but they won't all take it right away.Are you going to keep trying at F/T if you're snake isn't eating it and is getting skinnier?? If that was me, I would be trying every kind of method of prey to get him to eat!

deadliestformula · #11 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:02 AM

BpKid...............

I say this with love, really I do -- there are some things that you may believe that you just MUST keep to yourself. This is one of those topics. Thinking that live is okay is a thought that will get you flooded with responses and links to the live pile. You ARE probably going to take some heat over this one.

That said I will make sure everyone knows I feed F/T. I have fed live (stunned) in the past. No injuries occured. I now feed F/T because of the convienece and the price break.

I do not wish to voice any other opinion about this topic.

MAG_Pythons · #12 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:03 AM

when a snake gets hungry, it will eat, no matter if it is dead or alive.
as long as it is warm, the snake will almost always take it and the small percent that don't take it the 1st time won't loose too much weight by missing a couple meals.

Refused · #13 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:06 AM

Its not worth the risk to me.. dead food vs teeth.. when will anyone stop feeding live. Most people who feed live do so till something happens, rat bits back, a claw in the eye..... why take it to that? why not take the route when there isn't a chance. Who's reaction time is better? a snake or (anyone). Unless you are holding the rodent bare handed by the tail do you stand a chance to even come close to reacting in time to stop an ill-fated bite to your pet. and why should it come to the point where something happens to your snake till people stop feeding live. If someone yells your name or drops a glass and you turn for just a second, that second could mean anywhere from 100-1000$ in vet care.
Or buy a cheaper frozen rat and let it be.. I HAVE YET TO SEE A F/T BITE BACK.
and i have personally seen a rat bite back from someone who owned boa for 5 years and was the most knowledgeable person i knew at the time. Have fun feeding live, if you feel that this is the best way that's your opinion. but i hope you never switch over just because something awful happened to you and your snake.

bpkid · #14 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadliestformula

BpKid...............

I say this with love, really I do -- there are some things that you may believe that you just MUST keep to yourself. This is one of those topics. Thinking that live is okay is a thought that will get you flooded with responses and links to the live pile. You ARE probably going to take some heat over this one.

I said live is ok, as long as the right people are doing it and understand the risks. Not just some moron who bought a snake and wants to see the snake kill a rodent. I know I will take heat, I'm taking this risk because I want to voice my opinion. This is America right???

Radical · #15 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refused

Its not worth the risk to me.. dead food vs teeth.. when will anyone stop feeding live. Most people who feed live do so till something happens, rat bits back, a claw in the eye..... why take it to that? why not take the route when there isn't a chance. Who's reaction time is better? a snake or (anyone). Unless you are holding the rodent bare handed by the tail do you stand a chance to even come close to reacting in time to stop an ill-fated bite to your pet. and why should it come to the point where something happens to your snake till people stop feeding live. If someone yells your name or drops a glass and you turn for just a second, that second could mean anywhere from 100-1000$ in vet care.
Or buy a cheaper frozen rat and let it be.. I HAVE YET TO SEE A F/T BITE BACK.
and i have personally seen a rat bite back from someone who owned boa for 5 years and was the most knowledgeable person i knew at the time. Have fun feeding live, if you feel that this is the best way that's your opinion. but i hope you never switch over just because something awful happened to you and your snake.

I don't think anything else needs to be said after this.

After you've read the above it's all left up to your own decision, so keep it to yourself.

bpkid · #16 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:12 AM

I don't feed live because I have fun doing it. I do it because I want my snake to be healthy, as he won't eat F/T. I mean, yeah, I will try a F/T every once in a while and try to switch him. (Already tried twice.) So don't think I'm going to feed live for my whole life.

Radical · #17 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:14 AM

It seems like you're looking for some sort of approval, I'm just letting you know that you're not going to get it.

You can't be forced to do anything, you can just be informed and left to walk the path yourself, whatever direction you take is your own.

Brandon28 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:16 AM

It took me a while to switch my first boa to f/t because I kept breaking down and offering live when it wouldn't take f/t. Although the feedings were supervised and done by dangling the prey by the tail with tongs to ensure a head-strike, there were a couple of times that the snake struck the side of the head and wrapped part of it's body in front of the prey's mouth. Since I was right there, I would place the tip of the tongs in the prey's mouth to keep it from biting the snake. These moments may be scarce, but that doesn't mean it's worth the risk. Luckily, I caught the problem before it BECAME a problem, but does that make my feeding techniques right?

This video is a perfect example. Although you're using tongs to ensure a head-strike, this python doesn't miss by much (which is exactly what I said earlier) and wraps his tail directly in the rabbit's mouth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FbPJQqhQB8
This CAN happen to you with your method. I'm not saying it WILL, but it could be just a matter of time. Being that you care for your snakes, if one were to recieve a bite, I'm sure you'd care for it before it died of infection. SO I'm NOT saying that a bite will kill it, but you'll have a scarred pet for absolutey NO reason exept for the fact that you wanted to watch it kill live prey. No one here can tell you what to do, but as a responsible snake owner, ask yourself "IS IT WORTH IT?"
I've heard countless people say that they feed live because their snake won't take anything else. This is the WEAKEST and most commonly used excuse. Every snake can be converted. The key factor is the owner's patience and persistance. I'm not going to flame anyone for their point of view, but what are the pros for feeding live?

RevMojo · #19 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:16 AM

bpkid, you've been coming here for two years now, and have the nerve to act affronted when someone tells you they think you're an idiot for feeding live? Surely by now you know which way the wind blows. You know as well as the rest of us that you will never make a convincing argument on this site for feeding live, except in the most dire of circumstances. Unless you're asking "my snake hasn't taken f/t for 20 straight weeks, is it OK to feed live?" you just plain know better.

Brandon28 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpkid

YES! but they won't all take it right away.Are you going to keep trying at F/T if you're snake isn't eating it and is getting skinnier?? If that was me, I would be trying every kind of method of prey to get him to eat!

You said you've tried twice. I bet those attempts were spaced apart, too. Look, I did the same thing for a while. I always buckled because I didn't want to starve my pet. But in time, I realized that I was more worried about it starving than IT was! I GUARANTEE you that you'd have it converted to f/t WAY before it lost a gram of weight. Bottom line...just stick with it until it takes f/t...you won't regret it.

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