[Live Prey] How can I make the prey inoffensive?

[NitenIchiRyu]

Hi, I'd like to keep with live feeding for my Boa, not for sadistic reasons but because I want her to live by her instincts and because it's a fascinating show of the ever amazing nature.
We all know how dangerous it can be, I was wondering if there's a way to make rats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and other big preys inoffensive. Mabe by taping the beak, or clipping it off? But I'm no dentist, no idea on how to behave with rodents...

ps: no tape!!!! What am I saying... facepalm.

[Jrock23]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

Try pre-killing it or maybe disable the the food, so it doesn't harm your boa LOL..

[Pandorasdad]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

So, you're willing to mutilate the prey item for the comfort of your snake instead of going the 100% safer route of switching to pre killed frozen? Because the reasons you're giving for not switching aren't good enough. These aren't wild animals anymore. They're captive bred, born and raised. It's entirely one thing for them to have to risk injury and death to hunt in the wild. That's nature. This is captive snake keeping and the health and safety of your animal should always be your primary concern. Her instincts are useless when you put her in a box with prey. That's not hunting.
Just switch over to pre killed. It's cheaper on you as a general rule and safer, by far. Without mutilating helpless animals.

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[Noelle7206]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

My snakes all eat pre-killed (frozen-thawed or fresh kills) and believe me, they do not lack for enthusiasm when grabbing & constricting their prey items. Your reason to feed live is lame...and just plain bad practice.
Please reconsider for all concerned!

[bcasilio]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

I would say switch to pre-killed or F/T prey.

I would focus your attention on how rats act and move in the cage. Then buy yourself some tongs and try to replicate that movement with a deceased rat via tongs.

[Pandorasdad]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

Then buy yourself some tongs and try to replicate that movement with a deceased rat via tongs.

Meh. Just wiggle the little beasties. I call it the Zombie Rat Dance.

[NitenIchiRyu]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

Meh. Just wiggle the little beasties. I call it the Zombie Rat Dance.

lol... ok, it looks like there's no other way and anyway reproducing a Michael Jackson video in my enclosure sounds cool enough to me.

[Pandorasdad]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

lol... ok, it looks like there's no other way and anyway reproducing a Michael Jackson video in my enclosure sounds cool enough to me.

That's awesome!

[sharudd30]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

In the wild the prey has acres to roam so if the snake misses them the boa doesn't eat in a box the rat has no escape and you know what they say about a cornered rat

[Pandorasdad]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

and you know what they say about a cornered rat

Story time!
In another life, I was a termite inspector. That meant spending a lot of time in crawl spaces. Once I came around a corner and there was a big rat right in front of me. I was crawling on my belly in a crawl space that had maybe 24 inches of clearance. Suffice it to say that neither of us had anywhere to go. The rat made the most god awful scream and came for my face. I had nothing but my 3 cell mag light and a long bladed screw driver. I was able to fend it off and it scurried away, but I will never forget that sound.
And that's what I have to say about cornered rats.

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[Kung Fu Joe]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

LOL! That's hysterical!

[sharudd30]

Re: How can I make the prey inoffensive?

Lol. Alright forest.