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**mltc78** · 03-20-2003, 09:41 AM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

Hi there Todd, and welcome to the forum. I used to feed my boa live prey back when I first got her, for the same reason I suppose, I wasn't big on beating rats to death and things of that nature. But after seeing some pics here on this site of what a rat can potentially do to your boa harmwise and after treating my own boa from rat bites, I changed my mind. I understand where you're coming from as far as "aiding in the demise of your snakes natural predatory behaviors", but you have to remember your home isn't there natural surroundings. Snakes in my opinion, like dogs and cats, are domesticated when bred in captivity, therefore not really having a need for hunting and killing techniques as required in the wild. Think about this a little and do some more research to see for yourself, when feeding your pet snakes their prey - deader is better. Hope this helps a little.

**eViL_KaRoT** · 03-20-2003, 10:05 AM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

I would have to agree, I don't like the Idea of beating the rats to death before feeding them to my snakes. This is why I feed all mine F/T (frozen/thaw). You can get them from most any petstore such as Petco, you can also order them online at rodentpro.comand/or cajunmice.com and/or theratcafe.com. Any of these place will sell you Frozen, pre-kill rats. Feeding live is just too dangerous for a captive (domestic) snake. They aren't really born with the need to hunt, nor do they really need to hunt. Plus, when feeding live rats, what's to stop them from seeing your hand as a nice warm fresh Rat. Not to mention the aspect of when the diner becomes the dinner, ie: the rats fights back because it does not want to become dinner, or the snake is not hungry and the rats sees the snake as something to chew on. If you don't help that instinct, your hand in the cage means a clean cage or a chance to get out and be held, not food.

**Red** · 03-20-2003, 10:49 AM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

I don't know about you but I don't want my snakes hunting abilitys too high... people have those type of snakes... You need a sheld to get in there cage and a hook to move them.... I think that sux... I like to hold my snakes and let them crawl around and stuff like that....
Eric aka...Red

**redtailedmel** · 03-20-2003, 11:46 AM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

i used to feed my first red tail live but i never left her alone with the items i held it with tongs and let her take it from there, i never had any trouble with her striking biting or anything the pics at loris site there is a link in the forum to see the pics they are gruesome i was scared stupid by looking at them i eventually lost my snake. it wasnt from bites or anything but i waited a year and bought another one i did my reasearch and im trying to convert her to frozen thawed, right now she wont take them but im steadily offering it. i have to kill them my self and freeze them though im about 5000000 from nowhere lol . like everyone has said you can order them online but the shipping is kinda high thats why i pay .50 a mouse live and smack it myself HEHE

**eViL_KaRoT** · 03-20-2003, 11:49 AM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

Yes, but for those who can't kill a living thing by there own hands, letting someone else do it, is so much better.

**redtailedmel** · 03-20-2003, 12:35 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

hehe well its either me or my hubby do it or let our cats do it for us lmao i dont think i want the cat doing it for me, ive been trying to contact this guy who breeds them in my next town over if i ever get a hold of him and hes willing to ill have him kill em

**Red** · 03-20-2003, 01:35 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

My cat will take f/t rats... In fact I have to have a locking bin to defrost them in so the lil' bas98d will leave them alone... lol
Eric aka...Red

**redtailedmel** · 03-20-2003, 01:45 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

lol do you thaw your in waters or just let em thaw on their own i have to set mine inside the microwave to thaw to keep them from getting mine they havent figured out how to open that door yet they can open everything sad but true microwave only safe place in the house for snake food oh btw i dont actually microwave them lol

**Red** · 03-20-2003, 02:01 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

Water... Oh ya baby..
Eric aka...Red

**ClayEnglish** · 03-20-2003, 02:11 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

I DO understand the risks of
feeding her live vs. dead...but I feel like by feeding pre-killed...your
aiding in the demise of your snakes natural predatory behaviors.

Well around this board my feelings on this matter are quite well known. That same natural predatory behavior that causes them to strike and constrict the live prey will also latch on and constrict thawed prey just as easily as it will a live prey item. Except with the thawed rodent, the boa is not bitten, clawed, or killed.

I wish I had some good pictures of adult wild caught boas. They are cut up, scratched up, scars everywhere, showing the daily results from that predatory instinct. Some with stubb tails, some with their mouths tore up, and most full of ticks and mites and internal parasites.

That's the wild. The majority of ours are captive bred captive born, and are completely dependant on US for their very existance. WE are their food source..

I just think it make sense to do whatever we can to provide a safe and healthy environment.

Also it has been proven time and time again, that boas fed thawed rodents, are more docile, and much less agressive. I tell people all the time about my adult breeding size females, that do not even constrict anymore.. They just go to the thawed rat find the head and start eating.

The majority of boas are purchased as Pets.. To have and to hold from this day forward ;D

The "thrill of the kill" for many however creates a dangerous situation. The situation is a "routine" where nothing bad happened this time, so I will feed live again, and sooner of later, the odds are that a boa will be harmed from a live prey item.

**LORI** · 03-20-2003, 04:00 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

I definately agree with the rest of these guys/gals on the feeding of dead prey to the snakes. Here's my page that someone mentioned on the live feeding also. Take a look at that ..It should give you more insight into the live vs feeding dead thing with your snake..

http://www.koalaskritters.net/livefeeding.html

**tatdaddy** · 03-20-2003, 04:30 PM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

I want to welcome yom to the foutm first. Now I get my rats from www.cajuanmice.com. The reason is first and formost the risk of feeding live prey. Second I know that every rat that I feed to my snakes is healthy and free of
parasite's ( I think that's how you spell it?)
I hope to see a pic of you new friend on the pic fourm in the future. Good luck

Joshua

**Todd** · 03-21-2003, 03:13 AM

Re: HI EVERYONE!!!

YOU ALL ARE THE BEST!!! Thanks for all the links...Clay thanks
for your input, I think you guys have me convinced to change
my point of view. I will put pictures of my little girl on the site
just as soon as I get my hands on a digital camera. Going
through a breeder definetly has it's advantages. She's beautiful.
Have a great day! -Todd

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