Quick Question on Live Feeding

[Topaz]

I guess it just bothers me when people see that as entertainment. Sure, I think it's educational and great, but I just don't see the whole "natural" argument when a snake is in a glass box, with a UTH, eating a domestic rat/mouse. Not to mention the majority of the people I see/have met that do use live food are incredibly rude to me when I ask about the f/t thing. One person who feed live guinea pigs to their burmese even said once "I use g. pigs because their scream sounds more like a child." Another guy I knew (thankfully, he lives hundreds of miles away now, and his snake was taken from him,) used to get "free to good home" kittens and puppies because he "loved the show."

I agree that the humans are the monsters. But I think if people are to keep snakes, and any animal for that matter, in captivity, then they should be treated as captive animals. But, this is just my opinion...once upon a time I used to believe that snakes and birds were two animals that never should be in captivity...I"m still learning.

And a side note about people with lots of snakes, many of the ones I have talked to actually do euth. the animals before feeding, but don't freeze them. CO2 chambers can be made to euth. a large amount. So not everyone with large amounts of snakes feed live.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I guess it just bothers me when people see that as entertainment. Sure, I think it's educational and great, but I just don't see the whole "natural" argument when a snake is in a glass box, with a UTH, eating a domestic rat/mouse. Not to mention the majority of the people I see/have met that do use live food are incredibly rude to me when I ask about the f/t thing. One person who feed live guinea pigs to their burmese even said once "I use g. pigs because their scream sounds more like a child." Another guy I knew (thankfully, he lives hundreds of miles away now, and his snake was taken from him,) used to get "free to good home" kittens and puppies because he "loved the show."

I agree that the humans are the monsters. But I think if people are to keep snakes, and any animal for that matter, in captivity, then they should be treated as captive animals. But, this is just my opinion...once upon a time I used to believe that snakes and birds were two animals that never should be in captivity...I"m still learning.

And a side note about people with lots of snakes, many of the ones I have talked to actually do euth. the animals before feeding, but don't freeze them. CO2 chambers can be made to euth. a large amount. So not everyone with large amounts of snakes feed live.

I did not imply that every one with large collections feeds live, merely that many do and that there's nothing wrong with it, that they are not any less of a person that then one who takes the time to euth them first. Like I said... you can't group the "sick fantasy" people in with the "my snake is hungry" people.

Snakes are captive yes, and are obviously treated as such, seeing as they are not free to roam as they please. But, they are not domestic, hence their special requirements... sure, teh glass box is not natural... BUT...the heat, the substrate, the lighting, the hiding places... we do those things because it replicates what IS natural because that is the only way our reptile will feel completely comfortable...and I don't see why food has to be any different. Your dog is more than happy to curl up on the sofa with you sqeak a rubber toy and eat cooked processed kibble...which is incredibly NOT what a dog is supposed to eat... which they have unfortunately adapted to eating. Your dog does not need you to provide for him a small forest and a den to be happy. He is domesticated and there is different treatment for animals that are domestic, and captive. Captive animals ranging from wild dogs to snakes to insects often have to be convinced to try an already dead animal in the first place. Just because they will adapt to it does not mean it's best for them and their prey. Snakes, for the most part, only accept f/t prey because they have figured out that it's that or nothing. Much like a bearded dragon made to eat pellets would still MUCH rather have real vegetables and fruits. Domestication does nothing but weaken and distort the genetics until you get a totally inferior animal to it's wild counterpart... so why try to do it with reptiles? F/t is only the beginning of alienating snakes from their wild conterparts..... but I suppose I can deal with it. BUT, Let's put it this way.... the day they start trying to commercialize snake food (and its already on the way with disgusting snake sausages), I am OUT!! people try to personify their animals and try to reason that further separation from their instinct is what's best... but is it really... or is that just what's best in OUR interests and need to feel like we are doing some good and right?

Is death by Carbon Dioxide in a dark box REALLY a better, more relaxing, happier death? Who are we to really decide... none of us have ever died to feel it. In both euthanasia AND death by snake.... the victim is still going unconcious and suffocating. Death by snake is quicker than the other, that's for sure. It takes a few minutes for an animal to die from co2... They lay there and gasp and gasp yet there is no relief and they have to miserably sit and wait for it to end... it takes under a minute for an animal to go unconcious and die when being wrapped by a snake thanks to the complete stopping of bloodflow. I would take that death any day.

I hope that made sense to someone else besides me.