Need to relax!!!!

RideOrDieB · 02-12-14, 03:27 PM

I hate feeding time. I get so stressed I feel bad for my python. Feeding live mice, trying to relax but everytime gets harder. On the bright side, I've had her almost 2 years and have never had trouble with her eating. Also I realize captive snakes are not in their natural habit therefore more an more choose to feed F/T, and it is a safer route for the snake (if i chose to feed rats i most certainly would feed f/t) but I choose not to as Penelope deserves a taste of being a wild girl lol. I'm just hoping that the next 15-20 years plus of feeding her isn't horrible every time :-( any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

pdomensis · 02-12-14, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideOrDieB

Penelope deserves a taste of being a wild girl

Just as long as you accept that being a wild girl comes with risks it's no big deal.

**Aaron_S** · 02-12-14, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideOrDieB

I hate feeding time. I get so stressed I feel bad for my python. Feeding live mice, trying to relax but everytime gets harder. On the bright side, I've had her almost 2 years and have never had trouble with her eating. Also I realize captive snakes are not in their natural habit therefore more an more choose to feed F/T, and it is a safer route for the snake (if i chose to feed rats i most certainly would feed f/t) but I choose not to as Penelope deserves a taste of being a wild girl lol. I'm just hoping that the next 15-20 years plus of feeding her isn't horrible every time :-( any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

Suggestions?

1. Don't feed mice to a snake that should be on rats. The babies that hatch here are fed rats by their 3rd feeding.

2. Mice have a far greater chance of attacking your animal than rats do. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean "badder".

3. It's a snake in captivity. Treat it like one. It doesn't care for a "taste" of the wild by using live prey because the snake doesn't have the capacity to think on that level.

If you wish to feed it live just know it's for your own reasons not for the snake on any level.

4. Want to be stress free? Stop feeding live. BOOM! Solved.

Jim Smith · 02-12-14, 04:41 PM

It's obvious that you love your snake, but considering that it is living in its cage with fecal matter and urates as well as whatever the live mice bring in, I'm not sure that putting your snake up to your lips is such a good idea. That's actually a good way to contract Salmonella or some other rather unpleasant disease. That's the reason its recommended that you wash your hands after you handle your snake, lizard or other reptile. I'm pretty sure that contracting Salmonella would not be too relaxing. Just a thought...

Starbuck · 02-12-14, 04:47 PM

I rarely wash my hands after handling my snakes, unless im working with my kings who are hunger monsters or my new snake in quarantine. A healthy well maintained snake is no more of a salmonella risk than preparing chicken for dinner, and unless you are immune compromised you are not doing yourself any favors by trying to live in a bubble.

Washing your hands is jot going to hurt you or the snake, but there is jk o need to villainize reptiles. The myth of salmonella from herps is largely a result of the little turtle kits they sold in the 70s, with baby turtles in poor husbandry, harboring lots of bad bacteria, and smalkids putting their gross hands in their mouths.

Hurrok · 02-12-14, 04:58 PM

As long as she is feeding well and keep an eye while feeding you shouldn't have to worry too much. I have two BPs that won't take anything but live rats so they continue to be fed on live. However I do feel a little nervous feeding medium-large rats since they seem more aggressive compared to the younger ones.

You may come across her stop eating especially during the breeding months, and you can try and switch her to F/T then, she'll get hungry enough to take one eventually!

As long a she holds a healthy weight she's fine.

I give kisses to my snakes all the time too, I can't resist their cuteness!

KORBIN5895 · 02-12-14, 05:48 PM

You should read this.
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/food-...e-feeding.html

kwhitlock · 02-12-14, 06:02 PM

Welcome to the forum fellow michiganinian!

I would also go for switching over to f/t rats as soon as possible. Gives your snake a much better diet as rats are much more nutritional!

Good luck!

RideOrDieB · 02-12-14, 06:04 PM

I dont see live mice as a threat! I don't believe that feeding mice is dangerous for my snake otherwise I wouldn't do it. Some people disagree and are
Entitled to that. The reason I do not feed her live
rats (which has been recommended by quite a few) is bc I consider them very intelligent, but if others are more experienced or would rather choose this route more power to em. I realize there are pros and cons to f/t as well as live... And many have very strong opinions. My concern wasnt her safety and the mice, but my stress affecting her stress from killing the mice- but I do think that's the way of life and gives Penelope a natural sense on her captive life. She came to me eating live mice and has never had anything else.

As for the kissing I don't kiss her right after she kills and I'm not worried about it, there are appropriate times to wash your hands use common sense... Lol but I don't find it necessary everytime I pick her up. Yes some bacteria is good to be exposed to anyway.

But thanks for all the input :-)

**Aaron_S** · 02-12-14, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideOrDieB

I dont see live mice as a threat! I don't believe that feeding mice is dangerous for my snake otherwise I wouldn't do it. Some people disagree and are
Entitled to that. The reason I do not feed her live
rats (which has been recommended by quite a few) is bc I consider them very intelligent, but if others are more experienced or would rather choose this route more power to em. I realize there are pros and cons to f/t as well as live... And many have very strong opinions. My concern wasnt her safety and the mice, but my stress affecting her stress from killing the mice- but I do think that's the way of life and gives Penelope a natural sense on her captive life. She came to me eating live mice and has never had anything else.

As for the kissing I don't kiss her right after she kills and I'm not worried about it, there are appropriate times to wash your hands use common sense... Lol but I don't find it necessary everytime I pick her up. Yes some bacteria is good to be exposed to anyway.

But thanks for all the input :-)

Why don't you see live mice as a threat? Considering there's pics and stories that say otherwise?

Again, you want stress relief? Stop feeding live. Problem solved.

Also again, your snake doesn't have any sense of natural life. It was born in captivity. What does it know about the wild? It has a "human" kiss it? How is that any kind of natural sense?

To be honest, you seemed to have ignored every bit of advice I gave because it goes against what you want to do.

LiL Zap · 02-12-14, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

I rarely wash my hands after handling my snakes, unless im working with my kings who are hunger monsters or my new snake in quarantine. A healthy well maintained snake is no more of a salmonella risk than preparing chicken for dinner, and unless you are immune compromised you are not doing yourself any favors by trying to live in a bubble.

Washing your hands is jot going to hurt you or the snake, but there is jk o need to villainize reptiles. The myth of salmonella from herps is largely a result of the little turtle kits they sold in the 70s, with baby turtles in poor husbandry, harboring lots of bad bacteria, and smalkids putting their gross hands in their mouths.

Great response and I totally agree. Salmonella is transmitted in many ways (and very rarely with reptiles). You have a greater chance of contracting it with dogs and cats than you do a reptile.

RideOrDieB · 02-12-14, 07:07 PM

I do see what you are saying and I'm not trying ignore what you say, but let you know where I'm coming from... I was directing my question geared towards something else and we obviously differ on the subject of feeding live mice safety Just as many passionately differ on how often to feed your snake. I guess what I mean is I would be almost as stressed out feeding her f/t as I am live. And I can deal with my stress and move on after, I'm worried it will effect her at some point tho. Weird I know...

**Aaron_S** · 02-12-14, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideOrDieB

I do see what you are saying and I'm not trying ignore what you say, but let you know where I'm coming from... I was directing my question geared towards something else and we obviously differ on the subject of feeding live mice safety Just as many passionately differ on how often to feed your snake. I guess what I mean is I would be almost as stressed out feeding her f/t as I am live. And I can deal with my stress and move on after, I'm worried it will effect her at some point tho. Weird I know...

If you're so stressed feeding this animal then why do you own it? Maybe it's just not meant for you. Would you feel as stressed feeding fish to a snake? How about crickets? Honest questions. Maybe you just don't have the correct species.

As I stated, your snake has no sense of anything so I don't understand where your stress plays a part in it's feeding response.

Lastly, I have never seen people "passionately differ on how often to feed your snake". It's pretty standard with minor deviations based on some specifics.

I know where you're coming from and that's why I asked my questions and made my statements. You wanted to express how you see your snake and how you do things but are not really open to suggestions.

psychocircus · 02-12-14, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideOrDieB

I do see what you are saying and I'm not trying ignore what you say, but let you know where I'm coming from... I was directing my question geared towards something else and we obviously differ on the subject of feeding live mice safety Just as many passionately differ on how often to feed your snake. I guess what I mean is I would be almost as stressed out feeding her f/t as I am live. And I can deal with my stress and move on after, I'm worried it will effect her at some point tho. Weird I know...

You are going off of only feelings and not evidence. Your snake doesn't feel "more wild" for eating live.
Frozen thawed rats are the best choice for a BP for multiple reasons.
If it is concern for the snake, use F/T rats
If it is concern for the rodent. use F/T rats

LiL Zap · 02-12-14, 07:22 PM

There's nothing wrong with feeding live but there are more risks involved. Don't underestimate a small rodent, fear and adrenaline can do alot to them and snakes have been killed or seriously injured by their prey before.

I also agree with some of the other members in the fact that you should feed your BP rats instead. Mice aren't a terrible thing but rats have alot more protein and calcium which is more healthier for your BP which looks like it's a pretty nice size already.

I kinda went off topic lol but pretty much if you decide to keep feeding live, supervise all feedings.