Does it hurt them? Just for a little bit, like transfering cages or whatever.
2007-05-11 17:15:53 · 16 answers · asked by Rawr 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I'm just picking up the feeder mice. The small ones. I don't want them to bite, just putting them in the SNAKE CAGE so they can be eaten.
2007-05-11 18:37:28 · update #1
You can only pick up mice, and it does not hurt them, as long as you are not moving them around forever. I usually pick them up by the tail (to catch them) and then hold on to the tail, but put them on my hand for support-still holding the tail so they don't run off. Mice do not squeak or bite in pain, so it does not hurt for short periods.
You can not pick up any other rodent by the tail, including gerbils and rats. You will break their tail because their body weight is too much for those thin bones.
2007-05-11 18:32:05 · answer #1 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mice can be picked up by their tails - just pick them up by the BASE, that is where the tail joins the body. It doesn't hurt them. Rats can't be picked up the same way, they're too big.
You're not feeding live mice to the snake, right?
Chalice
2007-05-12 01:34:20 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the only way I used to transfer feeder mice, no problem there. They're about to get eaten, so it's not like if they are uncomfortable it's a lasting impression you'll be leaving.
2007-05-11 20:25:26 · answer #3 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's OK to do so, with mice. With some of the larger rodents, the skin on the tail can slough off, if you pick them up by their tails. So, it's best to use the base of the tail. You can scruff them, as well.
2007-05-11 17:55:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I USED to think it didn't.... Then one day we picked up a gerbil by it's tail to transfer it to the other cage and the skin RIPPED OFF the tail. The bone and muscle were still there, but the skin (with it's little bit of hair) was still in my hand. I screamed so loud I think they heard me a few miles away. The skin did grow back, but I still feel bad about that and have NEVER lifted any rodent by the tail since.
2007-05-11 17:32:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sorry, I have never handled a mouse, but I have had hamsters. If I had to pick them up it was always by the scruff (excess skin) around the back of their neck. I don't think picking up a mouse by its tail is a good thing.
2007-05-11 17:26:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it's all right, because that's how they recommend doing it when I worked with mice in a lab.
2007-05-11 17:18:54 · answer #7 · answered by Surely Funke 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Do not pick them up by their tail! How does anyone KNOW it doesn't hurt them? Be gentle with creatures big or small! It would be better to pick them up gently, cupped in your hand so they feel secure. Animals bite when they are afraid or in pain. I'd sure bite if someone picked ME up by my tail!
2007-05-11 17:30:33 · answer #8 · answered by Mary B In Chester 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If never seen a mouse tail fall off. You probably don't want to swing it around though.
2007-05-11 17:19:37 · answer #9 · answered by p_r_i_n_c_e_s_s_j_e_n_n 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No it doesn't hurt them but why do it? Just pick him up it's not like it'll hurt you, unless it will. Then you can pick it up by the tail. :P
2007-05-11 17:21:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋