Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I have been feeding live for years. I've never had a problem like my snakes getting bit, and they all prefer live over pre-killed. I also have a Red Tegu, he's been eating mouse fuzzies or pinkie rats live. Now he's getting bigger and I tried to feed him a mouse. He CAN kill it and eat it. It's pretty brutal though and the damn mouse bit his face at first. I don't want my Tegu injured and I also don't want the mouse to suffer, it's not as quick as the snakes. The only way I know of pre-killing is by holding the tail and "wacking" it's head into a counter to knock it out or by throwing it in a bag in the freezer. I don't like either of those, (I don't even want to try those) is there anything that isn't so, well, harsh? Is there a more humane way?

I don't mind the snakes killing them, but I just can't do either of those.

I dont know of any other way of " killing " a mouse / rat.Like you said that you dident like holding them by the tail and knockin them out..What i do is i have a thick wooden doll, hold the rat by the tail and hit in behind the head, ( on the spinal cord ) to break its neck.. its a quick painful death for the rodent.Or you can put the rodent in a old pillow case and throw it at the wall..Like i sad i dont know other way to kill rodent..what i do works fine for me..Hopes this helps and good luck.
-----
Anthony

1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Columbian red-tail
1.0 Pastel Columbian red-tail
My Email MY photo gallery MY PHOTO GALLERY

I even breed mice and rats but while looking through the forum at earlier dates people say Co2 chambers are quick, fast, and humane.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko
Coming Soon
1.0 ball python

Can you post a link for me, to show me how to do that? This sounds like something I could do. It sounds like a "gas" chamber, like they use at some kill shelters. So you know if that puts any toxins into the mouse/rat that could harm my animals?

There are two ways. The gas chamber method and the dry ice method.

dry ice- not sure if this is the exact method but this is what i have heard to do.
Fill a cooler with dry ice
put a paper towel over a section of the dry ice
put the feeders on the paper towel
pour water over the dry ice
put lid over
put lid on cooler tightly
wait 5-10 minutes for feeders to be completely dead
take feeders out of cooler

gas chamber- don't know about this way that much but have heard of it
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko
Coming Soon
1.0 ball python

>>Can you post a link for me, to show me how to do that? This sounds like something I could do. It sounds like a "gas" chamber, like they use at some kill shelters. So you know if that puts any toxins into the mouse/rat that could harm my animals?

It isn't a toxin, it is simply Oxygen deprivation. It will not work as well with pinks as babys are designed to tolerate deprivation. For others it will work. There is the sort you can do with a tank of CO2 (from a paintball store) or you can put some (amount will depend on the container size and number of animals to euth.) of dry ice in a tall container...trash can say. DON'T try to breath near it. Let the ice melt a bit either with water or time and it will 'fill' the container with CO2. Drop in rodents.
Don't think that this is gonna be totally bloodless. And the set up is impractical for a small amount at a time. And expensive.

Killing is killing. You are gonna be killing one way or another. Just so you don't think it won't make you feel just as bad. CO2 is just a bit 'cleaner'. Something to think about.
http://www.junglemistreptiles.com/co2.html

-----
Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

When I had large snakes. I used to use a stun-gun. It worked great!

My prefered message is to hold the little critter by the tail (ideally on a surface they can get a grip on 'cuz then they stay still better). place a stick at the base of the neck. Push down on the stick while pulling up on the tail. This effectively breaks their neck - making it reasonably painless.

as a side not this is a variant of the stadard procedure for humane slaughter of smaller 'varments' outlined by the USDA (the actal procedure is for poultry and rabbit but the anatomy is similar enough).

Happy feeding.
-----
Russ

Well if I am going to freeze them I put the rodent in a vaccum sealer. When it sucks the air out of the bag it sucks the breath out of the mouse. I feel like it is a fast suffication, much faster then by any constrictor and it doesn't get bit in the process.
-----
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boa adults
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boa 2003
0.1 Rubber Boa
0.2 Eastern Hognose Snakes
4.4 Western Hognose Snakes
1.1 Womas
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
1.1 Leopard tortoises
1 Pleco
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

>>Well if I am going to freeze them I put the rodent in a vaccum sealer. When it sucks the air out of the bag it sucks the breath out of the mouse. I feel like it is a fast suffication, much faster then by any constrictor and it doesn't get bit in the process.

Sucks out the eyes, blood from the nose and ears......not pleasant. If you vac seal you need to kill, freeze, THEN vacuum seal. Not a killing method unless you want a real mess.
-----
Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.