Magic Rat Disappears!

[Reinz15]

Some of you may have already seen this on another forum, but thought others may enjoy.

I had no idea where Pandora was, so I hit the "record" button as soon as I dropped the rat.
https://vimeo.com/126693750

https://vimeo.com/126693564

[AaronZav]

Re: Magic Rat Disappears!

I think your video disappeared as well

[Reinz15]

Re: Magic Rat Disappears!

Sorry about that AZ, I was having trouble loading it while you were on. As you can see I ended up with two.

[AaronZav]

Re: Magic Rat Disappears!

Pretty cool video, snakes feeding is one of the most amazing things in the natural world in my opinion, we often take it for granted as snake keepers because we see it all the time.
That being said, please reconsider feeding live. I will share my disaster story as I have a million times in hopes that it wont happen to you. Over 20 years ago I had a 6ft BCI that I fed live(a much more common practice then). One day I gave her a rat and the way that she grabbed it, as her mouth was open on the rat, the rat was able to open its mouth and the rats top teeth went down through the top of my snakes head and the bottom teeth went up through the inside of the upper jaw and out the top of my snakes head. I was watching and once I realized what happened I had the not so fun experience of trying to untangle a 6ft boa from its still live prey, the snake nor the rat were happy about this and to be honest I was freaking out and don't really remember how I did it without getting bit by either animal. I killed the rat and then had to try and treat a boa that was injured and in feeding mode. As you can imagine it was not fun. Fortunately the snake survived but it was a horrible experience. After that I would only feed pre killed animals (usually freshly gassed at that time).
I will be the first to admit that watching a snake(no arms/legs) hunt and overpower something is amazing and natural, but losing a pet is not worth it. The danger, the stress, the vet bills etc will far outweigh the few seconds of watching it happen. Plus you can dangle a thawed rat in front of them and they will grab it and constrict just like a live rodent. Think about it, everything is exactly the same minus the suffering of the prey animal and minus the danger to your beautiful snake.
Just something to think about, in the end, the decision is up to you. Jus trying to pass along my experience in hope that others can learn!

[Jrock23]

Re: Magic Rat Disappears!

Very nice video. I thought it's was just video of a rat. Until the snake popped out LOL..

[Reinz15]

Re: Magic Rat Disappears!

That you for sharing your horrible experience AZ. I sure hope that others can learn from it.

Actually, I had already made the decision to switch before the video was posted. A breeder on CL gave me the last dozen feeders that he had for free just a few days ago. I am not about to house that many smelly rats since I only have two snakes, so I gased and froze them.