Hello, I haven't posted on the kingsnake forums for quite some time. Anyway, a friend of mine who had 3 boas in one cage, decided to give me his female (columbian red tail at about 4.5'). I've got her in a cage that is 8'/2'/2' right now. Anyway, I know how to care for a snake, but it's the feeding I have a couple questions about. I know how often to feed her, however I am looking for advice on the most humane way to terminate the rat. I have just used the WHACK! method before, but I really don't like doing that, especially when the rats are getting bigger and bigger. I've heard of some people placing the rat in a jar and letting it run out of oxygen however. I am wondering how humane this actually is though. From what I know about it, when you run out of oxygen and start breathing in carbondioxide you basically just get very light headed until you pass out and die.

The other question I had was about where to feed her. My friend would always remove his snakes and feed them in another location. I've heard varying reponses to this though. I've been told by many people that if you handle your snake often then feeding her in her own cage shouldn't be an issue. Considering that she will be handled often, is this a good idea? Also we have to consider that even though she's in a new cage now (and doesn't seem to be stressing at all suprisingly), she has ALWAYS been fed away from her living location. I am just looking for advice on this, because if I can feed her in her own cage, I would prefer to do this.

Anyway, thanks for any help you can provide.

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