HELP!! Traumatic morning....

[hartsock]

I thought I already said I wasn't religious. What is this of a book?
Oh, and no worries Hartsock. My name's Beth, but one of my favorite snakes is named Steve!

Sorry, I edited due to a spelling error. My bad!

I know I said I was leaving the thread, but......... I am a impluse control problem. Even to the point where I recognize it that I still have to complete it. So, I apologize Mr. Munson the Admin, but I have a doctor's excuse, :roll:

Anyway, Beth it's nice to finally know your name, for one reason or another I had it in my head you were a guy named steve; for some reason everthing seems so much funnier know that I know you are a woman. I don't know why.

As I stated before, I feed live to three snakes --- two of which were wild caught saharan sand boas who went a long, long time and were both near the point of leaving this planet, the female was worse, I am surprise she even came back at all. I also feed live mice to a huge russian rat snake that was on live when I got him, I switched him to f/t pretty easily, but then when he saw the live mice being fed to the boas, he went on a hunger strike until I tried live on him. I could have fought him longer, but I was getting weary that day, long story...

I also raise mice and african soft furred rats. Of which I cull and freeze to feed my snakes f/t, which IMO the best way to go. I only feed live the ones I have to and me and the russian rat snake will be having it out shortly. I have seen mice die from C02 compared to the live feedings and I can say without a doubt, CO2 is much more humane. But still a snake isn't a bad way to go. A cat different story IMO as I have already stated. I tried the spinal dislocation thing (in other words, ring their necks), just too much of a softy I guess. The bashing thing as well. What I really hope is that shaqfan understands the real risk and danger it all involves and does better next time. If he has to feed live, he does, but need to ensure the mouse is dead if the snake doesn't eat it right away. We are given the need to care for our snakes, but that also includes caring for their food.

 

[starsevol]

I know I said I was leaving the thread, but......... I am a impluse control problem. Even to the point where I recognize it that I still have to complete it. So, I apologize Mr. Munson the Admin, but I have a doctor's excuse, :roll:

Anyway, Beth it's nice to finally know your name, for one reason or another I had it in my head you were a guy named steve; for some reason everthing seems so much funnier know that I know you are a woman. I don't know why.

As I stated before, I feed live to three snakes --- two of which were wild caught saharan sand boas who went a long, long time and were both near the point of leaving this planet, the female was worse, I am surprise she even came back at all. I also feed live mice to a huge russian rat snake that was on live when I got him, I switched him to f/t pretty easily, but then when he saw the live mice being fed to the boas, he went on a hunger strike until I tried live on him. I could have fought him longer, but I was getting weary that day, long story...

I also raise mice and african soft furred rats. Of which I cull and freeze to feed my snakes f/t, which IMO the best way to go. I only feed live the ones I have to and me and the russian rat snake will be having it out shortly. I have seen mice die from C02 compared to the live feedings and I can say without a doubt, CO2 is much more humane. But still a snake isn't a bad way to go. A cat different story IMO as I have already stated. I tried the spinal dislocation thing (in other words, ring their necks), just too much of a softy I guess. The bashing thing as well. What I really hope is that shaqfan understands the real risk and danger it all involves and does better next time. If he has to feed live, he does, but need to ensure the mouse is dead if the snake doesn't eat it right away. We are given the need to care for our snakes, but that also includes caring for their food.

I know what you mean about the impulse control thing. Everytime someone responds to this thread, I just have to look! I have a thing about getting in the last word, and I am VERY stubborn. It must have something to do with being a red-headed Taurus
I am worse than you, even. I buy my snakes food already frozen, just like I buy my own. I will try live pinks on non feeding hatchlings, but I always feel horrible when I do it. Thankfully, its a rare occurance. I have "feeder rats" as pets, and I love them the way "normal" people would love a dog or a cat with an abnormally short lifespan. Rats are so intelligent and can be so social, and yet are often mistreated, or seen as only food by people. Some cultures believe that rats bring good fortune to those who treat them kindly. I need all the luck I can get
I think you and I can see eye to eye on alot of this stuff. Sure, we keep snakes. And snakes eat mice. You have GOT to know I don't have a problem there! I'm a total "carnasaurus" myself! But causing as little pain and stress to those we must kill, and respecting the life that has to end, is what makes us animal lovers.

There is a definate corelation between:
"Oh, it's just a mouse. It's going to die anyway. So why not pull its legs off".
to:
"Oh, it's just a dog. It can stay outside when there is a 2 degree windchill."
to:
"Let's see if I can nail that cat with the car".
to:
"Today I will be famous. I will go to a public place and shoot it up".

Well, you know what I mean. I'm not saying everyone with this mindset end up as serial killers....but most serial killers have that mindset.

 

[Roy Munson]

So, I apologize Mr. Munson the Admin, but I have a doctor's excuse, :roll:

Rich Zuchowski is the Admin. I'm just a lowly moderator. And my name's Dean-- not Mr. Arnold, not Mr. Munson-- just Dean.

 

[hartsock]

Rich Zuchowski is the Admin. I'm just a lowly moderator. And my name's Dean-- not Mr. Arnold, not Mr. Munson-- just Dean.

yep, knew the name was Dean, but was having a brain fart when trying to remember when I posted. Meant to put mod, but put admin for some reason. But you knew who you are!

 

[shaqfan]

to those of you who have asked, the snake is fine. she had a few small wounds, none of which drew any blood. i picked up some reptile antiseptic and touched up the little bite marks. i didnt handle her for a day or two after that, to let her calm down, and everythign is back to normal. ive switched to stunning the mouse before feeding now.

the thing i still dont get is why my snake, even if it wasnt hungry, wouldnt quickly dispose of the mouse in the fight the same way it would if it was going to eat it

 

[Corny Noob]

Some times they're not always the brightest creatures.
Hence snakes who are horribly covered in bodily wounds. They will actually sit there and let the mouse pick them to death sometimes.

 

[Mr.AJ]

to those of you who have asked, the snake is fine. she had a few small wounds, none of which drew any blood. i picked up some reptile antiseptic and touched up the little bite marks. i didnt handle her for a day or two after that, to let her calm down, and everythign is back to normal. ive switched to stunning the mouse before feeding now.

the thing i still dont get is why my snake, even if it wasnt hungry, wouldnt quickly dispose of the mouse in the fight the same way it would if it was going to eat it

Glad to hear the snakes doing ok and that you've learnt from the experience.


Theres no better outcome we could of hoped for from this thread!.

 

[Roy Munson]

the thing i still dont get is why my snake, even if it wasnt hungry, wouldnt quickly dispose of the mouse in the fight the same way it would if it was going to eat it

I don't think you can just chalk this up to a corn's low intelligence.

A corn snake's instinct drives it to kill potential prey. If it's not hungry (or for some other reason rejects a traditional prey item), the other animal is not prey. In the wild, instinct would cause a corn snake to flee predators and other dangerous animals. A snake cannot flee a mouse in a closed viv or feeding tub. "Constriction" is not a tool in a corn snake's instinctive "defense toolbox". It's in its "feeding toolbox".

 

[hartsock]

Theres no better outcome we could of hoped for from this thread!.

Hold on....

Well, I am certain glad that the snake is okay and hope he eats okay for you the next time. If he doesn't don't panic, I know a boa who was attacked and he had a fear of any prey, live or dead, for months afterward.

All joking aside and looking at what you said Shaqfan....I would consider the mouse that did the attack "stunned" as well. It was just the snake that did it and not you. Stunning isn't going to fix the problem, it is watching the snake while the mouse is in there completely so it doesn't revive and go after the snake. Just ensure that if you plan on leaving it in over night that it is certainly dead, or pull it out and finish it off before you walk out of the room.
Good luck!