They can sense their fate.

Yesterday was feeding day for my snakes. I choose to feed in a different enclosure than the snake’s main home. I get my rats from our local pet store and they put them all in the same box. The rats are always very active, scurrying around and climbing all over the box. Most of the time the boxes have a wire mesh window so the rats can see out and get some fresh air. Well, today as I was feeding I set the box down and the rats could see into the feeding enclosure and could hear what was going on. As I started to feed the rats became less and less active. When I got down to the last three rats they were huddled in the corner and not making a move. They also had very intense expressions. It occurred to me that they could see and hear the other rats being eaten. I know that rats are extremely intelligent and thinking back that happens every time I feed but this was the first time I had made the connection. I feel kind of bad. I will admit it was sobering to see the level of intelligence displayed in those tiny little animals.

Originally Posted by dcondie

Yesterday was feeding day for my snakes. I choose to feed in a different enclosure than the snake’s main home.

All I've got is why?

Originally Posted by SPJ

All I've got is why?

Prevents cage aggression

I understand what you mean. That very reason made my decision to switch to F/T easier. I hate hurting animals even when it's for food purposes.

that's so very sad.
And yes, rats can be very aware, intelligent and emotional creatures.

Originally Posted by Dbz4246

That very reason made my decision to switch to F/T easier. I hate hurting animals even when it's for food purposes.

same here. The less amount of suffering an animal has to go through, the better imo.

I have one little tree boa I still need to convert from live. Last year I was trying to get one of my balls started from a fast and I introduced a live adult mouse, after three seperate days of being offered as food I found the poor mouse dead in his little hamster cage...apparently the stress had got the better of him.

That is a myth.

Originally Posted by SPJ

That is a myth.

Ehh i dont think so. And also If you have loose substrate, the snake can ingest some during feeding inside its enclosure. Better safe then sorry.

Cage aggression is a myth and you don't need to worry about them eating substrate.

Originally Posted by byrns149

Prevents cage aggression

Originally Posted by SPJ

That is a myth.

Originally Posted by byrns149

Ehh i dont think so. And also If you have loose substrate, the snake can ingest some during feeding inside its enclosure. Better safe then sorry.

Originally Posted by SPJ

Cage aggression is a myth and you don't need to worry about them eating substrate.

Cage aggression is real; however, it usually has nothing to do with how you feed. In most cases the cage is seen by the snake as a little hideway, some just never get used to being pulled out of this secure pocket and need a minute outside the cage to realize there is no immediate danger, hence the common phrase, "...can be handled once out of the cage". Ingestion of "natural" bedding is fine as long as it is not small rocks or excessively large pieces of bark. How much leaf litter do you think wild copperheads swallow every year hunting in those piles? A hydrated animal with good temperatures can pass the substrate. I feed in the cage because it's convenient and the snakes seem to be more comfortable.

I too use a chest freezer, always have some money on hand to replace it though...happened to me a few weeks ago and I almost lost months worth of feeders. I got mine at Walmart for about $150.