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A few questions

jaxom1957 said:
I doubt if it matters to 99 out of a 100 snakes. It might make a difference to a non-feeder, and is something else to try and get them to eat. Less messy than braining, etc. I'll keep using the bagged technique. It works for me, just as no bag works for you.
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I can completely appreciate trying different methods, as there really is no blanket method (one size fits all) for anything in this world. I started out by bagging the mice, and then switched, simply to try it. I'm grateful that I haven't had to brain the mice for enticed eating, but I have started to also add slits to the mouse's belly for added allure & easier digestion (which I read about in the FAQs of this forum :) ). Perhaps another idea, if anyone has a fussy eater.

Good luck, Amadeus! :)
 
Making our treats more tasty...

Cegninedorf said:
I have started to also add slits to the mouse's belly for added allure & easier digestion
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Funny, I can kill and skin a rabbit in under five minutes, have butchered my own cattle and hogs, helped birth uncountable farm animals, never feeling squeamish about any of them. Yet, when it comes to slicing into the belly of an already dead baby mouse, I feel like I am doing some terrible torture. I think it looks too pathetically helpless, and I am just adding insult to injury. Weird how a brain works sometimes, what?
 
The whole braining the baby mice makes me cringe. I always wanted a pet rat, but its illegal where i live. I have no issues with feeding amadeus the baby mice anymore(the first time made me cringe and feel so mean, but then again i eat beef and chicken so whats the difference really) but braining it is something i dont think ill ever be able to do o.o; Or cutting it open. I just hope he doesnt turn fussy when he gets bigger.
 
I think we all felt that way the very first time we fed our snakes..perfectly natural, especially if you are an animal-lover.

I just tell myself that the snakes would be eating the mice in natural circumstances anyway, so why should I feel bad? :)

But I must admit, I wouldn't be thrilled at having to cut open a baby mouse either...despite having a very strong stomach! lol
 
I haven't brained a mouse, either, although I did accidentally pop one's head open -- in testing it to see if it was warmed/thawed enough for consumption...I felt bad about it at first, but then I was drawn to it out of sheer curiosity. Every time I thaw one, I can't help but be fascinated seeing the little organs all compactly fit inside that little body. I try not to make the slits too deep, but one did become deep enough that I think the stomach was able to pop out. I almost think that I'm going to have to dissect one, just to satisfy my curiosity. I am a teacher, but if chemistry had not been a requisite, I'm sure that I'd have gone into medicine...probably a nurse. :p From one thankless exhausting low-paying job to another. :p

However, I did grow up for part of my life in the country in WI, where I became unwillingly accustomed to hunters hanging their gutted deer in the tree in the front yard to drain out...and, in sophomore year biology, my dissection partner was a big-time hunter who lived on a small farm, so she was used to skinning & gutting...however, when it came time to dissect, she couldn't do any of them. I did them all -- I loved it, too, but I still can't stand seeing an animal that's been hunted & all of the rest of the details. It's weird how the circumstance changes the mind-set... :rolleyes:
 
I have a little bloodred that seems to have a sensitive digestive system. It really helps her digest better if I cut the pinky's skin before feeding it to her. I have no problem slicing that little bugger up if it prevents my snake from regurging.
 
Just use a sharp pair of scissors, snip snip on the back or front and it's done, no mess either. All you really need is enough of a cut to allow the digestive juices to get inside the skin easily, no need to bare the internal organs or anything.
 
Amadeus said:
Thank you ^^;;

I will purchase a cup, and go get some cleaner for his cage and a themostat thing as well. Getting the mother to actually hold him for longer then a escond is harder though.
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LOL Amadeus, if it gives you any hope, I was a not a snake person when my then 12 yr old daughter wanted a snake for her birthday. When after 6 months went by and her birthday came and that was still the only thing she wanted, I agreed against my better judgment :) I also bought from a petstore (not Petco) and ended up with a parasitic (amazed the vet we ended up having to find), non-eating wee ghost female. After a couple of visits for treatment, she became a great feeder and all the worrying about my daughter losing her pet made me a snake lover within a couple of months. Of course, it helped that I loved her colouring and she had the sweetest face.

My daughter ended up making me buy my own corn after about four months because I kept calling her snake my snake :)

I have to admit that really I guess I'm still not much of a snake person.... but I adore corns. Of course, if I ever win the lottery, I think I might just find me a piedbald ball... those I like :)

So there may be hope for your mom :D
 
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