Another source of snake food

[Jim Smith]

The recent thread about food you would never feed you snake prompted me to post this question to the keepers of larger snakes like boas and pythons. I used to raise show rabbits a number of years ago. As you probably know, show animals are judged by very strict standards as to form, color shape, and size etc. For example a colored rabbit with a white toenail is disqualified, or the ears are too long, or the coat is too flat etc. so quality breeders constantly cull their herd to only keep the best animals. Sure they sell of a couple of the culls as pets, but as a rule, they simply destroy them, usually when they are fairly young. There are rabbit breeding clubs all over America (the world actually) and they have several shows each year. I wonder if it would be worth your while to go to a show and introduce yourself to some local rabbit breeders. You could very easily find a new source of food for your snakes. I'm not sure many rabbit breeders would want their bunnies (even culls) fed live to a snake, but they accept the fact that the rabbit can be euthanized right before being fed or they may even toss culls into their freezer for you to buy every month at a much cheaper rate than rats at the pet store. Just a thought...

[shaunyboy]

i would think the rabbit breeders would prefer their culls to go to good use,rather than disgarding them.....

so you may be onto something there mate

cheers shaun

[Darkbird]

Not true in my experience. When I kept burmese, I had a lot of trouble finding breeders that would supply me. Had one turn me down when I asked how often she might have younger ones I could get for my smaller burm. Had another who when I went back the next week for a second rabbit, she ased why I wanted a second. She threatened to call the cops and have me arrested for animal cruelty. I told her to go ahead and try. I eventually got out of having burmese pythons because of this kind of problem, and not having the space to breed my own. Now I have the extra space and burms are hard to get due to the lacey act.