Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just awnser live or dead? thanks and happy 4th!!

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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

N/P
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Ron Billingsley
www.ronbillingsleyreptiles.com

This is another one of those topics that seems to have evolved over the years. I think the concensus would have been FT or PK just a couple years ago. You would have heard about parasites, and how a live rat will chew your snake to death, etc...

I think live is better too, its way easier and the snakes seem to like it better.

FT is alot cheaper if you purchase your rodents though.

Other topics that remind me of this qestion are:

What is better large enclosure or small enclosure?

Should I keep my humidity at 45-55% or 55-65% ?

Hot side temps at 85-90 degrees or 90-95 degrees?

Stuck eyecap, wait till next shed or use tape to remove?

There are several questions like these that seem to change concensus over time?

Or, maybe it is that we all learn and evolve..maybe this would be better for all of us - and the snakes.

~Alan

np

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I like to feed F/T or P/K but I will feed live if thats what it takes . you do what you have to do to keep them heathy and happy . Thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue

usually always live....balls just like it that way and it's alot easier to feed 200 snakes live stuff........

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Local Corn is in season and picking is non-stop........LOL
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I totally agree, it is much easier to feed live when you have lots of snakes, and as I said before, most snakes do perfectly fine with live. Also, some snakes will only accept live and I would much rather a snake eat something than nothing. But there is also the concern that when a person has hundreds of snakes, they can't monitor all of them to make sure the rat isn't biting them during constriction. I breed my own rats and have been bitten many times by angry mothers and to tell you the truth, I'd rather get bit by one of my adult boas than by one of my rats.

~kasey

I just got done messing and feeding with the snakes.......AR,small rats, large mice ......live......throw in and wait.....you hear the slams all over the place as you put them in.....usually the snake is in the back and the prey hides at the front......they know something is up.......if it isn't eaten you can usually see it right up front running around looking for a way out.......I go through them all as they feed or don't......feed seconds.......and look for hiding prey under cork bark and all.......

bitten during constriction?...yea......so....they get bit at times.......they usually just throw another loop on the item and squeeze it harder.......when constricted properly, a rodent will open it's mouth fully, gasping.......and not bite........bad constrictions mean bites...yes......I've seen my adult albinos bleed all over the mouse's face while getting bitten.....the ball squeezed harder and ate it.....bleeding stops......just like on our fingers.......

agree......BIG rats hurt at times more than balls.......(but not adult boas).......

........I only have one scarred up big fat old female...and I got her that way........long time ago.......

only problem would be if the snake's eye was bitten and popped.......and it hasn't happened in 17 years yet.......thousands and thousands of prey items.

.........frozen animals are pushed around ,and become lost in the bedding.....and stink real badly in 6 hours........
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Local Corn is in season and picking is non-stop........LOL
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Live is best. The best feeders no how to attack and hold their prey, where it cant bite them (like jyohe said).

I really appreciate the folks that are concerned for the animals well being.

However, I personally feel the snake gets more natural excitement from eating live, in addition to eating much better.

They are all keyed-up, and I believe, as much in tune with their natural and wild instincts as they can get in captivity.

I feel this is good for them.

If this means that once in a great while the rat is going to get a bit in - so be it. The benifits to the animal outweigh the risks.

Live

all but 1 of my 18 take f/t. that one eats ONLY live
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Thanks
Chad Ramsey
onetonyj@yahoo.com

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Louis Kirkland
Cornerstone Reptiles

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