The proper way to euthanize rodents for snake food

In this video I'll show you the proper way to euthanize rodents before feeding them to your snakes.
Enjoy!
(Please share, like, and subscribe to show your support! Thanks!)

[@meghan-not-thee-stallion97]

You handled this very well. It is a sensitive topic, but I firmly feel that for the reptile's own safety, it's best to feed euthanized rodents and at least this way you know they're fresh and that they were treated and raised well before being euthanized. It's a "necessary evil" but I liked that you put a towel over the case, it shows empathy. Thank you for making this video.

[@morgonaarchuleta2690]

Then, bring the container inside to feed the snake? Doing this several times exposes you to some C02. Yes, very little but the amount of exposure to opening that container each time in your snake room I feel would be wiser outside. I have teddy bear's breeding way faster then my mice. I dont know if it is the female or male that can not reproduce. I prob will go by a young adult male mouse bec. they do not sale female mice. Maybe rats they might have a female... They even choose the males for pinkies are furry babies. I tried to save one. It had hair already but it the store had them dieing. They should have a mother to go back to. Nope, they just die in the containers from no heat. This is PetSmart by the way.

[@morgonaarchuleta2690]

Just for suggestions, would it be smarter to open the container outside.

[@ZokomoTV]

I appreciate you doing it the humane way. You've earned yourself a subscriber sir

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@cheek4905]

As a rat pet owner, thank you for doing this humane. It means a lot.

[@joemama9230]

lol

[@fergysmith5904]

Humane? Did you iss the part about how he hides them away so that he doesn't see them struggle.

[@evelynrodriguez4770]

@@fergysmith5904 what else is he supposed to do, cuddle the box?

[@dynamikausa]

@@evelynrodriguez4770 use Nitrogen, from either brewery or welding supply. This is so simple.

[@paypatay1]

@@fergysmith5904 this is how the veterinarian does it.

[@georgeschannel6168]

Those little awkward giggles are just killing; like the CO2

[@miacat62]

My dogs eat chicken, steak, salmon.. just because I didn’t kill the animal doesn’t make any difference does it

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Good point!

[@miacat62]

Chris Hardwick I think you’re channel is going to get big. I was with snake discovery at like 20,000 and now they’re 1.8million. You get recommended on the same type of videos x

[@notachlys8056]

Good point but. i love rats and hamsters its just hurtful to see them like that 😶😭

[@Shylade]

That’s true. I go hunting in the freezer section and cognitive dissonance helps me believe steak grows on trees. Chicken is harvested in the garden.. yes that’s totally how it happens

[@brookiecookiecreations2265]

yeah, that's what i thought, too.

[@GyspyGirl523]

I want to say thank you for your compassion with this very difficult topic! You are amazing! And thank your for showing the proper way to so it!

[@tracytyler1566]

Thanks for your clarity. I’m sure this was uncomfortable to cover but it was very informative. I’m about to get my first snake. I’ve watched several of your videos before and liked them. Subscribing now. Thanks so much!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Thanks for the sub!

[@AirshipPirate]

Dude. Having to cover them so you don't need to see them struggle, suffering for three minutes? Very humane indeed

[@noonynoonynoo]

This helped me so much today. Found a nest of em in my apartment this morning and need to dispatch them but didn't want to cause unnecessary pain. This seems like a much gentler way to do it. Thank you.

[@robinhoodlum7180]

Well this should be a top rated video, bout time The issue of Euthanasia was tackled and shown, This is never an easy subject to talk about However People need to be shown how to do it the proper way,

[@kg3185]

Thank you for making this video. I have an unintended pregnancy with one of my guinea pigs and when you sell babies, there's always a risk that they'll be used for snake food. I have radically accepted this, but wanted to make sure that it was done humanely. This seems very humane.

[@meoww2108]

Thank you for this! I'm into exotic keeping right now. I love animals in general so I didn't consider keeping a snake as they are eating live animals such as rodents, rabbits etc. that's just so painful to watch. Glad to know there are ways to pre kill the feeders painlessly. Guess I might get one soon.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

It's even better if you can use frozen thawed rodents, most people never keep or breed live rodents, although I think it's worth it in the long run. You can order frozen through the mail from places like Rodent Pro.

[@MrJohnsonx3]

Chris Hardwick, you have been a big part in getting me interested in keeping pet snakes. This video is on a tricky topic and I think you handled it well and with respect. Thanks for the tips

[@pyrusrex2882]

I feel like 98 percent of those who watch this secretly wished you hadn't covered the chamber

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Could be!

[@snowjewel3982]

Mouse would have just fallen asleep.. pretty boring.. they don’t gasp with co2 that’s why it’s so humane.(unless it’s giving way too much to fast)

[@gabechacon8375]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures what kind of regulator did youuse

[@evy7406]

tf?

[@evy7406]

its only you man

[@samanthawinslett202]

Such a good guy. Yes this was very nice way to feed your animals. I am a firm believer this feeding helps with OUR anxiety, our mood, or guilt, frame of mind....so we can truly enjoy the ball python journey...thank you

[@traxxasftw]

THANK YOU so much for this, I needed a good way for us to do this, we have been feeding live and we hate to think of a rat going through that.

[@savannahheltsley2631]

mice dont jump out because they are scared of heights lol i know its weird i have 4 pet mice

[@countryboy5290]

Savannah Heltsley I love you

[@Butt_Surfer]

@@countryboy5290 she's Underage

[@Apologize004]

I have pet mice too and believe me, they jump like crazy.

[@lunaballuna]

It's definitely true what he said about rats too. Man, my pet rats are FEARLESS! I was moving them from playroom to cage last night and all 3 jumped from my shoulder to the floor (about 5 feet) with no issue. They didn't get hurt since they jumped to a blanket on my floor, but I have to be careful with them because heights don't scare my rats haha

[@stevemiers9628]

I noticed that too! LoL it's so funny. I love mice and rats. They're so fun and adorable 💙 and smart as hell too.

[@kjdexotics447]

Don't want c02 in the house you better stop breathing out

[@KillerofGods]

Depends on how much co2 we are talking t, if it is a big container it could leak and kill you in your sleep.

[@KillerofGods]

The problem with co2 is it is already in the air so you may not realize you aren't getting enough oxygen until you pass out. The house is an isolated area so the co2 could build. Up.

[@kjdexotics447]

@@KillerofGods it would have to be a big container. I cull rats the same way and with the little c02 it takes to put rats to sleep it won't affect a human. It's if there is a constant leak from a main supply you would have issues

[@Flypadre2011]

You will know if there is a build up of CO2 in your blood stream. That feeling of wanting to breathe when you hold your breath is not because of a lack of oxygen it is because there is a build up of CO2 in your blood that you are holding in because you are not exhaling. Carbon Monoxide is the gas that is deadly and can knock you out and kill you without you being aware of it. CO2 canisters are running inside of restaurants at there soda machines all over the place.

[@Jfresh55]

Kieran draper my friend just got her house tested for co2 levels. She's being hospitalized now. Def limit co2 in the house.

[@hoptoit5910]

I love that you care about *all* your animals even the ones that inevitably end up as snake food. One can absolutely see that (except for those few that think everything is 'cruel' lol) Just because they end up as food for another animal doesn't mean you can't be humane about it. All your animals are so healthy looking and well cared for. I think you're awesome!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Thanks! I try LOL

[@kimtatami6559]

Nothing humane about killing for food lol

[@ShawnB-rq9tz]

Thx you great video and I like they way you cover them up better;)

[@sharissab.6415]

Your the best ! Needed this ! Didn’t think about checking your channel first but saw your name pop up and definitely clicked on it first. Awesome! Thank you!

[@reptilesrodents]

Thank you for sharing that I know it's a tuff subject but if you are going to keep your snakes healthy it's just one of those things. Thanks again

[@rtreptiles6537]

This is a tough subject! thank you for being willing to go through this with us!

[@ReptileRaptureRR]

Love your channel. New favorite tuber.❤

[@Blacat]

I'm aware this is an older video, but I thought I would still ask in case anyone who comes by could tell me. Once that's done, are they just passed out/numb? Or are the actually dead and I can put them in the freezer? What is the 3 minutes wait time for? Since you said that it had to be done outside to keep the CO2 outside, but then open the box inside after 3 minutes. Thank you for both the video and anyone who answers my question! I love rats as pets, but my snakes need to eat

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Actually I've increased times to 5 minutes. After 5 minutes all juvenile and adult rats won't come back, but really young pinkies will, you need to do 10 minutes or longer on those. I did three minutes on a huge male rat and gave it to my big retic and after a couple minutes it came back to life! Now I do five minutes LOL

[@Blacat]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Thank you very much for all the useful information! Saved the video for when the time comes that I will need it, thank you for the reply! :)

[@sinandcyanide7505]

@@Blacat the reason you wait 3 minutes (or 5, or whatever) is that the initial exposure only knocks them out. The gas is constantly flowing into the container at a chosen concentration. The continued exposure resented removed all of the oxygen and they breathe nothing but CO2. But just like it takes several minutes to kill a human by cutting off oxygen (for example, suffocating or strangulation), a rat has to be without oxygen long enough to actually die. The reason he puts it outside but opens it inside is that while the task is on outside, it's constantly telling the tub with the gas, so you wouldn't want that leaking inside the house if there was a malfunction, but once it's turned off, the gas still in the tub isn't a large amount and isn't being replenished anymore, so it's safe to open indoors.

[@kylestansfield2642]

i agree with you william, chris looked to struggle with this, he couldnt even look and i think i would have to do the same tbh. keep going chris love the vids mate

[@jammyface3041]

Thank you. That video took guts. I love your content and I've learned a lot from you. Please keep it up.

[@chesterswingjr9796]

Thanks for the recommendation Chris. May have to get this type of setup. It’s A LOT cheaper to raise your own rodents, than to buy them. I feed all my snakes F/T, and I try to buy in bulk at expos, because the box pet stores are WAY to expensive!!!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I know, the pet store prices are crazy! Maybe not too bad if you have one big snake that eats once a month LOL

[@karyannfontaine8757]

Thank you Chris for showing this method used for feeding your snakes. It is quick and humane. My concern is always not to ever let an animal suffer.

[@jaeortiz5878]

No where in my area has small frozen rats only medium and large rn so I had to buy a live small rat and I don’t wanna feed my snake a live rat so this helped a lot thank you so much

[@Neko-kun-dp1hq]

Really sounds like you're uncomfortable doing this. Nevertheless, thanks for the educational video and for putting yourself on the line.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Yes, it was a tough video to make. A lot of people really send a lot of hate this way for this video, but a lot of people ask for this one. Raising rodents sounds like a good idea until you have to gas them...

[@fishmamma4846]

No shit he's uncomfortable. He's killing rodents

[@johnthompson1200]

Thank you very much for the information in this video Chris I just bought two of your pastel head Desert ghost one possible. I have been feeding live but want to move over to euthanized I am going to follow the process you laid out in this video. I really appreciate all the info you have put out on KZbin and just know you have a very strong community behind you and I can’t speak for everyone but I’d greatly appreciate all of the education and thoughtfulness you put into your videos thank you very much

[@amazinggrace5994]

I appreciate you doing this the humane way new subscriber here!!!

[@inyyxcustoms5271]

Thanks for making this. I was thinking about breeding mice because I have several snakes and also plan on breeding snakes in the future (once I have the lines I want to breed and raise them up), but I wasn’t sure how to humanely euthanize the mice I bred to feed to my snakes. I used to have a snake that would *not* eat f/t mice, so I would buy live and euthanize them myself before feeding them to him. The way I did it (as a dumb teen/brand new snake owner) was definitely not humanely, and it killed me every time. Did not want to go through that again.

[@tripod13mc]

How had you been doing it in the past? I'm currently investigating methods, myself; definitely want to avoid any mistakes possible...

[@inyyxcustoms5271]

@@tripod13mc putting them in a paper bag and smashing them really hard on my desk. Usually instant death, but not always. I HIGHLY do not recommend.

[@j33prang]

co2 should be the last gas to use. It's what gives an animal the feeling of suffocation. You should use any other inert gas other than co2

[@sherrybailey7985]

I just bought my grandson a Python and we need to learn . Thank you for the video.

[@chrisbee9164]

It’s a tough topic, but a necessary one. Well done for approaching it with reverence and humility. I have a question. Obviously that was one rodent for one snake. Do you euthanise and feed right away, or do you also have a stock of frozen, and how do you deal with “batch euthanasia”? Do you have several of those individual CO2 chambers, or do you literally deal with one at a time? Also what is the legal angle of selling frozen rodents once euthanised if you end up with too many? (To fellow breeders for example). Thanks Chris I totally love your channel and am working my way through, video by video 👍. Regards, Chris Bee

[@johnprocrastinator]

>doesn't want co2 inside the house >opens the container inside anyway

[@ssaccoccie]

Thank you for sharing this! I just started breeding for my snake food and was not sure how to handle the next step.

[@sammythai99]

You did very well with the topic. Thanks for the video.

[@mistertaffy6720]

I know it's a hard subject, but I want to thank you, because of you, more reptile owners will know how to take care of the mice and reptile humanely, and the proper way to give them a painless death. Now I know what to do if I want to get a snake.

[@xxthedeceasedxx926]

^when things die they tend to empty their bowels and blatters, humans do it to

[@sinandcyanide7505]

That actually only happens in about 10% of mammal deaths.

[@cookingkelly1192]

Thank you for not makeing them suffer

[@dianneEdangerously]

You’re so sweet! This was so humane. The rodent world thanks you ✌🏽

[@fearlesstardigrade1010]

Thank you so much for showing us n the best way possible! I'm getting a snake with wobble next week and I wanted to be able to feed him safely and see the process.

[@christopherhauser1376]

Thanks for the quick thorough demo, Chris. Beautiful pastel royal!!

[@kimtatami6559]

Those rat pet owners out there , omg how can anyone have the heart to do that to those cute furry kids??? I'm not a reptile lover so I don't understand how anyone can. I love fuRbabies

[@JLGReptiles]

Awesome video man. Where did you get the gauges and stuff for your co2 tank?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I bought the gauges on ebay and the tanks on Craig's list.

[@JLGReptiles]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures thanks man! Keep on keepin on

[@laurenerardy2851]

Hi Chris, can you share exactly what type of gauge you used and how you made the tank ?

[@winterswan7893]

Bless you man, you are a bright spot to all these horrible livefeeding videoes in here.

[@michaelwescott8064]

Thanks for making this. Have your snakes ever become more agressive when you consistently feed live?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

They do tend to be a bit more aggressive, but they can be tamed down fast with just a little handling.

[@AD-eg9cw]

I've been feeding my snake live (about to start euthanizing) and he gives me kisses when I'm handling him. I socialize him a LOT though.

[@Eki2718]

Animal abuser lol. Imagine admitting to killing live for pleasure

[@jefnguyen1406]

Yeah this is rough, I had pet rats. This is the only thing keeping me from keeping ball pythons

[@Quokkat7]

How do you handle the raise in preassure by inserting gas in a closed container? Maybe that is the reason they are in distress. Maybe there is a way to fill the container with a small hole on the top for the air to escape and when the container is full of co2 you may plug the hole . Maybe its a little bit more peacefull passing to the mice

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I actually do have a small hole in the lid. If you introduce CO2 very slowly it's much better on the rodents.

[@Dovietail]

thank you for tackling this tough topic. you are a sweet brave man, so generous with your knowledge. the trick is to LIGHTLY introduce co2 to anesthetize and THEN add a lethal dose. that way there is no panicked gasping. they just drop off to sleep. :-)

[@RhododendraLynn]

Thank you for educating me!

[@pungr]

"Then you don't have to see them struggling".

[@emila6]

is there no risk of poisoning the animals that are eating the mice considering that you are gasing them?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

No, I gas with CO2, completely harmless.

[@anuviitala3463]

Cant you just use like... A mouse trap? If they are sold then they must count as legal?

[@charlottearney6629]

Thank you, Chris!! I am a first time ever ball python snake owner, and since I just bought my first bags of frozen fuzzy rats from Rodent Pro, I was wondering how this was done, and you just answered my question--thank you. The rat pups they sent me looks a little yellow in color. I wonder if it's urine, now, after watching this video. Their fur isn't white like the two bags of rat fuzzies, HMMM?

[@mrmouse-ol9pw]

Somebody probably already said it but it's a Schrader valve u connect to

[@elizabethlennon3744]

After watching most of your videos, I could tell this was difficult for you. Thank you for all the great content.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Yes, that was a tough one, almost deleted that video LOL

[@KirkAngelaFamily]

Very interesting. So, when you open the tub in your snake room, does it release the gas, or is it gone before?

[@mikeobrien9136]

most of the co2 will leave the valve when he takes the hose off the valve

[@KirkAngelaFamily]

Mike Obrien good point! I didn’t think of that!

[@sheilapurvis6467]

I appreciate this video. I’ve been planning to raise rats for dog food if the SHTF, but needed to know how to euthanize them cause I don’t want to feed my dogs anything that is still alive.

[@roundhouse2616]

just fyi, nitrogen is better than co2 because the animal won't feel like it's suffocating, it'll just go unconscious.

[@superHane123]

Can anyone tell me why the mice seems so docile? I would expect them to jump out of the pan/bucket immediately and start running around everywhere.

[@cookingkelly1192]

Me too my son just started breeding g his own for his snakes and possibly selling them because all of our pets store were out for like 2 months because of an illness so we had trouble finding food so he is making his own so we do not have the same probkem

[@sophieclair1]

Thank you for making these videos. I'm learning so much. I'm getting my first ball python this week and your video have helps tremendously.

[@lvoltmer1]

If you use a jar and pre-fill it with CO2, then put the mouse in and continue pumping CO2, they pass out immediately. If you wait to fill the container after they are already in it they struggle a bit... the jar and pre loading is better

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Good tip!

[@advfhorn]

Thank you that was very helpful.

[@zsmith5150]

As far as the co2 do you use food grade or just can i get like what they sell at paintball shops?

[@PatrickCSullivan]

theres no such thing as food grade its all the same

[@im2cxe77]

is it ok to use vinegar+baking soda? specially when you have to gas 1 mice only?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Yes you can.

[@angelise3188]

Do they show any signs of panic at any time? Also at which time do they go from falling alseep to being totally dead?

[@sophia231990]

As a rat owner I'm glad the rats are pts before feeding to snakes etc. X

[@conman20000]

So you don't need to put a hole in the top of the container for the air to get out?

[@nflores7994]

That defeats the purpose of putting CO2 in it

[@ijustdontcareanymore1022]

I love seeing your empathy in this video thank you for that. I know are Passion/hobby can be cruel at times.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Thanks!

[@BOYZBALLZ]

This is a great video Chris just subbed to your channel mate. Really enjoyed that watch.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for subscribing!!

[@robertmoore1123]

Are soft furs not a healthy choice for snakes . We have 4 females and one male but there still baby's .

[@smilelots4me]

Thank you very useful.

[@froyboy4life]

You wanna open that main valve 100% and use the regulator to adjust the flow.

[@zoiemarks]

Is this the quickest and most painless method? do they suffer?

[@stacychambers1814]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I understand completely how hard it can be. But now I know how to properly kill my mice before feeding to my bp

[@madisondameron142]

I know that must be hard for some people. But a snakes gotta eat.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

It reall is!

[@ScienceBreather]

Might want to think about using nitrogen over CO2 to make it even more humane.

[@nelsonsantos770]

So they do struggle getting suffocated?

[@belindaroadley]

C02 burns their mucous membranes, so until they pass out, they freak a bit from the burning. Not long. I don't like it, but that's how our pork is processed, so until there's a better way...

[@cmethrough9]

And why have snakes stuck in little containers like their food? Can you imagine a life in a dog cage where you couldn't even stretch out completely

[@GevaudanGuardian]

great point, snakes are also not dog or cat. They are not active predators like cats and dogs,. As ambush they mainly wait and attack. But i do hope our industry grow into a bigger enclosure as breeders but for now please continue to adopt our dogs and cats.

[@cmethrough9]

@@GevaudanGuardian I have already. Both my cats I adopted from a shelter a year apart.

[@TheOneTrue_Sadman]

imma do this to my grandma, in minecraft

[@shellsnailss7193]

Question, where can I find a tank and container to do this?

[@caselizdeh]

Thank you for this video! We started breeding for our snakes and of course that took off faster then the snakes are going to...Ive known eventually I would have to do this. I want to do it the best way possible. I have 42 pinkies right now and no way our 8 reptiles will go through that many before they’ve grown up too much to feed.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Glad it helped!

[@discocup]

How do you get use to it, I want to be a snake breeder, but i LOVE rodents, I cry thinking about killing them, I'm almost in tears thinking about killing imaginary ones I don't have, but i love my snakes, I want to get a cheaper food source, but i just get so damn attached...

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

You can leave CO2 in the house, as long as you have proper ventilation which if you don't have you definitely have some other issues you probably don't notice.

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

When CO2 reaches 400 to 600 PPM you will have 10 16% cognitive reduction which is very common in low ventilated areas in high populated areas. Like Schools bedrooms and cities without proper air ventilation.

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

Also the United States is estimated to go above 600 parts per million by 2025

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I've seen people do that indoors, kind of freaks me out.

[@deadheadwannabe6874]

Only thing I don't like is no toys,kids, give them paper towel rolls...they will be happy

[@william.youare6736]

Would nitrogen be more of a humane way to euthinize?

[@uae0089]

thanks for the video

[@parsifal9251]

Bro did Auschwitz on a mouse

[@jerrodwilliams6789]

These creatures have been hunting LIVE food for millions of years...it’s how God intended. Who are you animal lovers to say it’s not right?

[@amybarratt4227]

Cervical dislocation is much quicker and less painful overall, I suggest looking into this!

[@xaphan8581]

my snake only eats rats so I’ve always thought it sucked cause I really love rats too lol I defiantly love my snake more but sucks having to put them down but there’s not a lot of options.

[@crowman8914]

Ypu didn't show the mouse being gassed

[@chariotspade5429]

I know the video is a little older but I hope, that still someone can answer this for me: Is the mouse dead after these three minutes, so it could possibly be evem frozen or is it only in a narcotic sleep to be fed directly?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I actually had a rat revive after three minutes, now I keep them under for five minutes and they don't revive.

[@t.chrisrobinson2388]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures I'm getting ready to get into the hobby, in Colorado. Is there any kind of licensing or registration process I will need to go through to euthanize rodents to freeze? I can only seem to find info for wildlife, and that claims that the agent for euthanasia must be obtained from and supervised by a veterinarian. Any light you can shed on this topic would be greatly helpful.

[@NekoNebula1313]

I fed live in the second time I did it my snake got bit right on the top of the head just terrible. Now I'm learning to do it the right way !

[@IAMGiftbearer]

Thanks for doing this video. How much does one of those tanks cost and where can you buy them? Also do you know if there are online retailers that sell ready to use systems that don't cost an arm and a leg? I'm starting to breed rats now and will need to do this with the larger ones so they can't pose a danger to my adult female Ball Python. Also, I would prefer feeding fresh killed over live and over frozen thawed. Safer and keeps all nutrients intact.

[@mikeobrien9136]

freezing after euthanizing will keep the nutrients example frozen fish / veggies

[@TheCharleseye]

@@mikeobrien9136 The frozen foods you buy in the store are flash frozen. Using a standard freezer is a much slower process that doesn't lock in the nutrients the way flash freezing does. This is why the best way to euthanize rodents for storing is to use liquid nitrogen. It kills and freezes them instantly. Humane and efficient.

[@SarcasticGrumps]

This is one of the reasons I don't like pet snakes, It's one of the reasons of why mice are just bread to serve as food. Just imagining being born to be eaten and that being there inevitable fate. There is other substitutes for a snake's food if people still want them as pets.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Born to be eaten, I guess you could look at it that way. You could also say people are born to eventually die a painful death falling apart from old age, or that my beef cows and chickens are born to be eaten or die of old age. I don't look at it that way though, I enjoy my animals when they are alive, especially my rats and mice that have a very short life span, mice only live about a year and a half before they die from old age. I don't know of any other food that a ball python will eat besides whole rodents. I tried hotdogs but it doesn't work LOL.

[@SarcasticGrumps]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures It is true that snakes do reject other foods, and barn animals usually do have a good lifespan, but factory treated animals don't since they are living in the worst conditions for maximum profit, and since mice can mate at just a month and a half after being you just need to wait around 2 months to have a mouse to feed to your snakes, and if most people do feed them at round 2 months old that they realy just enjoy like a month of there life. I just wish mice weren't so underestimated to the point of being used for testing in labs

[@mylittlebrotherca9691]

I worked VA Hospital, Animal Research.. changing research animals bedding. Best "little escape artist" he had tattoo punched ears..like cattle. Stuck to the lid, almost "jail break". Lord only knows if he made it out ! Released into the wild, whatever he carried, test fella. Could have been the "S.O.CalVahospital PANDEMIC", I'm confident they would come up with a better name. I gave "runaway Ralph his little red motorbike. By the back door. pingpong ball,helmet,cotton cushions,cut in half of, rubber band,chin strap. Runaway Ralph. Director of Animal Research found it, by the back EXIT. Quietly put it in his pocket, never said a word. VA hospital , CA.USA.