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Slitting F/T Mice (pinks,fuzzies,crawlers and up)?!!?

LindsayMarie

LindsayMarie

Been here awhile
Ok so I never heard of slitting the food until I read a thread on here a couple weeks back. Since then I have been meaning to slit at each meal and each time I forgot. I am just so used to pulling them out throwing in a cup of warm water to dethaw (minimal handling). Anyways, the benefits seem to be a better digestion rate and growth rate? Am I right? Also how exactly is the best way to "slit" the mice at each growth stage? I cant seem to find the link. Will this confuse my snakes (as it is new) and make them skip meals? Or do they generally "like" it? Thanks for any help. Lindsay
 
I slice the backs of a frozen mouse before thawing, once in awhile. This helps with digestion and scenting them. I don't think the snake will get confused.
It should help!
 
I believe that slitting the mice helps the snake digest as the stomach acids can get in to the prey and work from the inside out too (at least that's how I always understood it.) I was told that this faster digestion does improve the growth rate, too.

I have always slitted the mice from day one, because my corn was severely underweight when I got him and I did it to help him grow. Now I do it all the time, because I just think it's good practice.
 
i have just recently started doing this also.........and agree with the above statements as to why people do it. however, to answer your question about how to do it: i just make about three slices across the backbone while still frozen (left shoulder to right shoulder and two more below that). dont' know if that is the correct procedure, but have not had a refusal yet. :shrugs:
 
http://tinyurl.com/su6em

I can't find the recent thread, but here's one that shows the growth charts.

I snip my pinks and fuzzies four times on the back after thawing, using a fingernail scissors pointed toward the head.

Nanci
 
Nanci said:
http://tinyurl.com/su6em

I can't find the recent thread, but here's one that shows the growth charts.

I snip my pinks and fuzzies four times on the back after thawing, using a fingernail scissors pointed toward the head.

Nanci
Click to expand...

I also just started doing this after reading a couple of threads about it. My snake seems to love it, becoming an even more voracious than usual feeder when the pinky is slit four times across the back. I use the same method as Nanci.

Without the slits, my snake feeds regularly, but rather slowly. With the slits, there is no hesitation. The moment the prey is introduced to the feeding bin, she is ON it.
 
I've been slitting the mice for years now, but I do it after they are fully thawed. Three to four cuts crosswise across the back. On large mice I might have to wipe the loose hair off, but that's it. I wouldn't do it before thawing as I don't want the water to enter into the mouse's tissue. I doubt it's a problem, but it's certainly less messy in the water if you cut after. It should only go thru the external dermis to the fascia. Sometimes I cut a little deep but usually not. I keep a dedicated pair of scissors in my snake room and before throwing the mouse in with the snake I snip the back.
 
I gave Zeke a cut pinky on his first feeding after bringing him home, and he didn't have any trouble adjusting. Quite the opposite actually. In theory, slitting works because it increases the surface area of the prey item. The more exposed area, the faster digestion. In my (limited) understanding, it seems reasonable that slitting prey items might also cut back on regurges. If anyone with a decent number of snakes has the time/patience, it might be an interesting project.
 
I also cut my pinkies, I found the best tool for the job is a pair of nose hair scissors :) Just three or four cuts down the back and Dante is all over it.
 
What I do is make one long slit.I go from about a third of the scull down to the tail base.I use a single edge razor,,works perfect !!.
 
I asked a question in regard to cutting the back of the mice on another forum. Here's my question:

And the second question: is it recommended to cut the back of the frozen/thawed mouse's back to aid in digestion to help them grow?
Click to expand...

And got these responses:

And so far as I know, it is not at all necessary to cut anything open in order to aid in digestion. They digest EVERYthing as it is, so I don't see why cutting anything open would make it "better."
Click to expand...

Nobody cuts it open for them in the wild, and they have been doing fine for tens of thousands of years.
Click to expand...

That smells like one of those "old-school" concepts that are long outdated. You said you've seen it "work" in corn snakes as well- is there data to support that? Did you have a control group to compare to? Be careful about making those kinds of statements, this is a good example of how bad info gets spread around.
Click to expand...

Cornsnakes are not ball pythons ... ball pythons are natural 100% rodent predators, corns are not (hence the feeding trickery needed for corns) ... One mouse a week live, F/T, P/K is all most of them will ever need ... No cutting, poking, slicing, or braining is necessary ... ever. .......... Who cares how fast your snakes grow? ... They're living creatures ... enjoy the gift of being able to keep them and care for them and let them do their thing on their own schedule.
Click to expand...

I was asking about ball pythons, but I'd assume that it would be the same with corn snakes in regards to aiding digestion/growing faster. I don't bother with cutting mice anymore.
 
Actually, it is those on that forum that are spreading bad info. This is not "old school" practices. It is a fairly new concept and it is supported by data. A couple of years ago, Connie Hurley did a study showing that cutting the skin of pinkies does in fact improve growth rates in hatchling corns. She posted the results on this very forum, and even reposted the results not too long ago.

If you search the old posts, you will most likely find it.
 
I saw that. The results appeared to very well calculated, showing reults for a control group, 1, 2, 3, and 4 superficial slices, and slices with puncture wounds to the chest cavity. There may have even been other variables that I forgot to mention.

Overall, the study seemed to have been performed in a very scientific and controled manner with data showing the positive effects of feeding your snake prey that has had 4 superficial slices made in the back. It seems that more slices or puncture wounds showed no improvements over the 4 superficial slices, but fewer slices produced lesser reults, if I remember correctly...
 
I've had my girl for almost a month and she still won't eat for me. :shrugs:
I've tried cutting the pinky, braining the pinky, leaving her overnight with it..I don't know what to do anymore.
 
Last night I snipped/sliced 2 of my snakes feedings (the other 2 werent ready to eat). Anyways, they both ate just like normal and as a PLUS my bloodred ate a 2nd one that was non brand name. She usually will only accept gourmet rodent. However last night the first was gourmet rodent, the 2nd was a bulk pinky (scented in a gourmet rodent baggy - which she has refused before). I think the 4 slits helped as she kept bumping it, etc. I will try it on my other two when its time for their feedings and if all eat them without fuss (no refusals), I think I will snip/slice for awhile. See for myself if I see a growth difference :) Nothing like experience for yourself, although I do trust the study as well.
 
Have you tried washing the pinky? Check this thread out! It helped for one of mine :)
Washing Method

Brizzle said:
I've had my girl for almost a month and she still won't eat for me. :shrugs:
I've tried cutting the pinky, braining the pinky, leaving her overnight with it..I don't know what to do anymore.
Click to expand...
 
Also I forgot to add that it doesnt have to necessarily be ivory soap. I personally used Johnsons baby bar soap. I think in general you just need one that has very little/no extra ingredients (fragrances, lotions, vitamins etc). If one brand doesnt work, try another as my boy would down the johnsons washed pinky but would not touch it when I tried other soaps! Also, make sure to rinse the pinky really well :)
 
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