rats and snakes

**Lando** · 04-22-2002, 06:53 PM

Do you think people should be able to baby rats and mice to snakes. Even though I know that is what some snakes eat, I still don't like it. I am a rat lover and I don't think it is right. Do think people should do that. I was very afraid to give my baby rats to the pet store because so many people buy them and fed them to snakes, so I had a hard time giving them away. Even though I know that if snakes didn't eat them, rats would be everywhere I still don't like it. What do you think?

**Karen** · 04-22-2002, 07:26 PM

That's a tough one. It is always hard to figure out the dichotomy between one's pet's and another's lunch. I always default to the science fiction option - all food is synthesized from the raw elements, it all tastes like whatever you want it to, and is always nutritious, but no one has to die.

**Heather Wallace** · 04-23-2002, 06:03 AM

I didn't voted because I don't know. In some ways yes, in some ways no!

No because of the poor rats and yes because it's their natural food source, I think.

Can anyone tell me if the rats are dead or alive at the time the snake is about to eat them?

Good topic Lando, this one really made me think about something I haven't really given much thought to before.

**Logan** · 04-23-2002, 07:36 AM

It seems a bit unfair to me. Of course, I would never have a pet snake either (no offense meant to any snake owners out there). But a snake catching a rat or mouse in the wild is a bit more natural than a poor rat in a closed environment like an aquarium, with no chance of escape.

I think I've told this story before, but when Helen was in the second grade, they had a Science Fun Day at school, with all sorts of "scientific" displays. Without any warning, when they were viewing the snakes, the teacher from the Science Center, put a live mouse in the cage with one of the snakes.

My little girl has never forgotten that. She and a couple of others left the room in tears. They could have at least forewarned them so they could have had the option to leave. It was very distressing to Helen and for me when I found out about it.

**Gio** · 04-23-2002, 07:43 AM

Not live ones, I know in nature is different but at least there the poor creature has the chance to escape. I would never be able to feed my cat a live bird so I don't really see the difference with snakes and mice.

Moreover I think pet rats are lovely and I wuold not mind to have some, I could never have a snake in the house (no offense meant to snake lovers)

**Ann** · 04-23-2002, 08:03 AM

I'll agree with Gio here, in the wild the rats have the chance to escape, but when they are fed to a snake they have no chance at all to escape and just sit shaking and scared in a corner while the snake advances on them

So if you have to feed your snake mice or rats, atleast kill them first I guess... I don't think that's right either but atleast it's swifter for the mouse/rat.

**Heather Wallace** · 04-23-2002, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by Logan

Without any warning, when they were viewing the snakes, the teacher from the Science Center, put a live mouse in the cage with one of the snakes.

My little girl has never forgotten that. She and a couple of others left the room in tears. They could have at least forewarned them so they could have had the option to leave.[/B]

What a horrible thing to do, especially to kids so young, I to would have left in tears even at my age now which is 26 yrs old, I would have made a complaint to.

**Logan** · 04-23-2002, 12:07 PM

Me too, Heather.........I would have cried too! And I'm much older than you are!

Complain???? I did, believe me!! But the damage was done.

**Heather Wallace** · 04-23-2002, 04:42 PM

I'm glad you complained about it Logan, I still can't believe what they done though!!

I think in this situation Helen probably learned a lot, In a way that she respects animals more. Probably showed her that not everyone loves animals - that she has a special family who adores them.

**Lando** · 04-23-2002, 07:27 PM

It seems a bit unfair to me. Of course, I would never have a pet snake either (no offense meant to any snake owners out there). But a snake catching a rat or mouse in the wild is a bit more natural than a poor rat in a closed environment like an aquarium, with no chance of escape.

I agree with you Logan. What a sad experience for Helen. I wished the teacher had told them in advance. It is great to hear different sides from this topic.