I would like to know the easiest and quickest way to stunn or kill a mouse right before I give it to my snake. I really don't want blood all over the place and I would like the stunn to me enough so they don't wake up.
2006-10-20 07:31:10 · 21 answers · asked by a.gatenby 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
If you hold the rat/mouse by the towel and whack it over a hard surface about 2 times it'll stun it. It'll twitch and stuff but that attracts the snake to it. If it gets up and runs, pick it up and do it again, just smack it harder!
2006-10-20 08:16:37 · answer #1 · answered by Kimberly K 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the guy that was talking about NOT feeding live prey, It is dangerous and ignorant! IMO!!
Feeding live especially if you dont know what your doing and your not constantly watching can get your snake injured or even killed. Even if your supervising bad things can happen very quickly!!
I would suggest getting your boa switched over to rats as soon as you can and feeding frozen/thawed rats. Cheaper, easier, and way safer!! Go to www.rodentpro.com or any of those guys, Im sure if you have a big pet store near you they will sell them aswell.
Get a big pot of boilinng hot water, put your rat in a ziplock or something so that it stays dry and keep it in there until it is totally defrosted and the outside temp of the rat is in the high 80's to 90's. This will give him the proper heat signature so that it will appear live to your snake. To measure the temp of the rat use a temp gun from www.proexotics.com. Temp guns are IMO a must for any herp keeper! Check them out.
This is my best advice hopefully it will help. If you have anymore questions try going to www.snakebytesforum.com and join the forum its an awesome place to learn stuff. Let everyone know Davu sent you! :)
2006-10-21 18:12:34 · answer #2 · answered by photomom25 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just put the mouse in a paper bag and wack it hard against the wall a few times. There isn't any blood and the snake isn't in any danger and the mouse appears to be unconscious although sometimes they twitch, which is typical of a blunt force trauma injury or death.
I normally feed frozen/thawed mice, but if I can't get them for some reason, I always pre-kill my mice.....for the snakes safety. They will still constrict it, and if I have time, I will let the snake "chase" the mouse as I dangle it from tongs-but usually the snake catches it pretty fast.
One thing you have to watch out for with a frozen mouse is it is not going to give off any heat-while a stunned, freshly killed mouse will. So, if you are using frozen/thawed, watch your hands and fingers.
2006-10-21 05:37:00 · answer #3 · answered by hoodoowoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry dhwilson5 but on this one you are very much incorrect. I would love for you to show me any type of scientific documentation that it is in some way healthy for your snake to kill its own food...
In reality feeding your snakes live food is dangerous and i do not recommend it. Ive seen way to many scars and wounds and even deaths from live prey for me to believe in any way that it is a good idea. I had a ball python when i was younger that ended up getting its eye bit out by a mouse!!! not a rat.... a mouse.. People always use the whole "its not natural" argument about pre killed feeding.. in reality most species of snakes in the wild are documented scavengers that will readily eat a recently dead animal... also its not exactly natural for one to be kept in a cage either so that makes a hypocrite out of anyone wanting to go that route...
OK back to the question,
I prefer the neck snap method of killing. place a blunt object across the back of the neck of the food item and pull the tail until you feel the neck snap.. they die instantly and there's no blood.
2006-10-21 05:41:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the reptile store we give all our snakes, breeders and sellers alike, prekilled prey, unless they are pups, fuzzies, or pinkies. So good for you!
We kill them buy breaking the back by holding the prey by the tail and hit the back against a shelf or the guys there use their wrists. There is no blood if you do it right the first time. The is a little bit if you have to repeat it more than twice. It is really quick. On small mice I just flick it really hard in the back of the head between the ears. It causes the skull to break and it still twitches for the snake.
2006-10-21 18:56:14 · answer #5 · answered by Gray Wanderer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to feed my red tail live mice, then rats. But sometimes he would not be interested in the rat and the rat would stay in the cage for a few days. This makes a mess and you have to feed the mouse/rat to prevent it from trying to chew on the snake. I eventually started feeding him freshly killed rats, and then frozen ones I've killed myself (i raise rats for my snake. its cheaper then buying them) The best way to kill them is too cervically dislocate thier head. Wearing gloves, so you don't get scratched, take two ink pens (or similar objects) and place on either side of its neck and using both hands, squeeze the ink pens together until you feel a pop. Throw the mouse/rat in immediately and the death trashing will attract the snake to attack and "kill."
My snake won't even bother attacking a rat that doesn't move. He smells it and starts eating it. He's so lazy...haha
2006-10-21 18:12:18 · answer #6 · answered by Spazz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my python was sick we put the mouse in a small brown paper bag and slammed it on the counter to stun it. It work great no mess no fuss. However you might want to consider just feeding it to the snake the way you get them Boas do get big so are you going to be stunning the rats and rabbits also?
2006-10-20 12:02:28 · answer #7 · answered by wolfds650 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have raised many snakes, big and small over the last 10 years and during my feedings, I normally do not see too much blood. I have only stunned mice so my younger snakes can get them easier.
That being said... It sounds in-humane, but I usually lightly bump them on the outside of the cage while holding their tail.
You might also consider getting frozen mice to avoid the situation.
2006-10-21 02:33:49 · answer #8 · answered by Carl M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Part of a healthy diet of your Boa is to chase down and constrict his dinner. I'm not quit sure where you got that your going to have blood all over the place but that's not correct. I've feed Boas and pythons every thing from a mouse to a goats and never had a blood problem. as far as stunning the food, maybe you could ask your vet for some ideas. good luck
2006-10-20 14:33:23 · answer #9 · answered by dhwilson58 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The snake does not chew its food so therefore you should not get blood all over the cage. Just give the snake the live mouse and you should have no problems.
2006-10-20 17:24:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋