"I don't buy the argument that "snakes don't need this in the wild, why should we provide it?" I'd like to know, for example, how many snakes really do survive and thrive in the wild in proportion to the number that are born. I suspect the mortality rate is pretty high in comparison to captive-born snakes that are well cared for."
Well, captive snakes don't have to deal with opossums, racoons, wading birgs, hawks, other snakes, highways, people with garden tools, floods, freezing temperatures, etc. No doubt there is higher mortality in wild snakes than captive - but for different reasons. I suspect wild snakes rarely have the problem of helpings of food that are too big too often, like many have to deal with in captivity. I'd bet that in captivity the #1 problem is feeding practices. I'd bet in the wild, that's far down the list.
In the wild, regurgitation isn't a result of poor husbandry. It's primarly a defensive and protective act. Sure, wild snakes regurge meals that are too big. But I'm as equally sure that it's a smaller proportion than captive animals as I was about the mortality thing.
If a snake keeper is stuffing his snake so much and so often that regurges are a problem, slitting the head of mouse to trick that protective mechanism into not-working is, without question, harmful. Feeding a snake a reasonably sized meal at reasonable increments is a far better solution.
I also find SkyChimp's comments about size and growth to be at odds with most of what I've learned about corn snakes--and living creatures in general. All animals are more vulnerable to disease and illness when they are small, and I think an essential part of husbandry involves getting them without delay to a size where they are better able to resist health problems. Yes, my son was really cute when he was two--but I don't miss the weekly visits to the doctor for ear infections. (And I really did try to practice good husbandry!) We buy hatchling snakes because they're cheaper than adults, and probably because we have idealistic feelings about bonding with the snake at an early age (who knows?). Seeing the snake grow from a small creature to a large one also helps us to understand its nature and needs better, and it's probably more of a challenge.
Getting any animal to grow more quickly than it reasonably should is unhealthy. And we aren't talking ear infections here, or any genuine illness. We are taking about poor husbandry and feeding practices that promote fast growth and regurgitation. I'm sure you were happy your children didn't require weekly pediatrician vists. I didn't have that problem with my children. But if I did, and I'm sure you would agree, overfeeding them to make them bigger wouldn't help. Overfeeding has health implications. The way snakes deal with it is that they regurgitate. Children don't do that, they become obese - then they deal with health problems the rest of their lives. If you supress the natural reaction of a snake that triggers in response to overfeeding, you are going to end up with an unhealthy snake. It's really that simple.
