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Anonymous
Sup, /an/.

I have a ball python that I normally feed frozen rats. Unfortunately, the place where I usually get them didn't have any frozen rats of the size I needed, so I decided to get a freshly-killed rat. I pick out the size, tell the store owner I need it killed. So she grabs the rat and slams its fucking head against the concrete floor. I look at that thing and I can tell it ain't dead. She says it is, so I take it home.

When I open up the box, surprise, surprise, rat's still alive. And not bad off for having its head smashed against the ground. I figured it wasn't right to kill it after it just escaped death, and I didn't want my snake getting hurt, so I decided to keep it if it survived another day.

It's still alive and perky, /an/. I'm surprised it's so docile towards me considering how it was handled just a day ago.

I'm getting my snake food from a different place now, but I'm not sure exactly how to take care of the rat. Right now she's sitting on pine shavings and has food (rodent blocks) and water. Is there anything better I can feed her? Any suggestions? I hear rats do better if they have a friend, would she pick on said friend if it was a naked rat?

Thanks, Anon.

Pic slightly related, she's an albino.
>> Anonymous
It's either scared to death of you or completely retarded.

Feed it to your fucking snake, pussy.
>> Anonymous
Ouch. Shouldn't you take it to a vet? Was it bleeding at all?
>> Anonymous
You will have a rat and a python as pets. Good luck.
But it was very nice from you saving her life.
>> Anonymous
>>I hear rats do better if they have a friend, would she pick on said friend if it was a naked rat?

If you're going to get her another rat, I'd put a lot of stress on quarantining both of them since the source of your rat is, well, rather.. you know, not the best. Pick another female or a neutered male (which you could find through a rescue group, probably). If you go for hairless, you're going to have to get something softer than pine shavings. In fact, you might want to switch off pine shavings regardless and go for something like aspen when your stock runs out.

>>Is there anything better I can feed her?
Rodent blocks are pretty good. You could supplement with small amounts of fruits, vegetables, and human food. This has a good list of what's okay and what isn't: http://www.ratfanclub.org/diet.html

>>Any suggestions?
Dunno, how long ago did all this happen? What kind of cage is she in? Was she housed with male rats? Is there a possibility she's pregnant? Do you have toys for her? Are you taking her out and socializing her every day?
>> Anonymous
>>285808

Ugh. A vet visit for a checkup might only be like twenty bucks. The rat might just have some bruising and stuff, but it might need help.

Rats need at least one friend to not be miserable. Try and figure out its gender (they should have had them seperated by gender), and get a second one of the same gender.

Rats like handling. It's normal for them to peep very quietly when picked up, but if it shrieks or squeals, let it be for a while. Its injuries may be causing it some pain.

They sell unbleached paper bedding which is better than wood shavings, which can irritate the rat's nose and make it sick. It's also very cheap and as long as you clean its cage once a week, you'll find the animal's about as clean as your snake.

Rats almost never bite, so if it lets you pick it up, do so often and you'll find that you have a very friendly, intelligent animal.
>> Anonymous
>>285812

No, it's not bleeding.

>>285835

This happened yesterday. She's in a pet taxi right now, but I'm going to get some aquariums in today or tomorrow. Is wire better? What sort of toys are best for her? I am petting her, and, while she's pretty young, she might be pregnant.

Thanks for the link and advice.

>>285848

I'm not sure if my vet does rats, but I'll get her some help if she starts acting strange. Like I said, she's doing pretty well considering what happened.

Can I substitute newspaper until I get said paper bedding?
>> Anonymous
seriouslu kill it that thing is probably in extreme pain *hence why its docile* take it to the vet atleast, things problably got internal bleeding not to mention head trauma.
>> Anonymous
>>285866
wire is better because it has better ventilation but the mesh floor can injure the feet ( not really a problem if i has a solid base but mess upper levels)

if she does happen to be pregnant my advice would be to keep one of the (female) babies for company.

unprinted paper towels will do for bedding for now
>> Anonymous
>>285866

You can call the vet and ask if they know rats and how much they charge.

Two-level cages are best (they like the exercise). Wire is fine because you can get a huge cage for cheap, but watch out for things their toes can get stuck in. A big terrarium will work, too, just make sure the rat has plenty of room to run around, they're very active.

Rats don't like heat at all, so keep it well-ventilated, whatever you do. A terrarium will also smell worse because urine fumes will be concentrated.
>> Anonymous
>>285808
Next time you get live food, ask them to bleed it or cut it's throat.
It's a lot better than slamming it against the ground, and your snake will notice it a lot quicker with the smell of blood.

OR, ask them to break it's neck, which with some mice you can do by trying to give it whiplash. It all sounds pretty dirty, but that's the price you pay when you have a snake. Especially when it gets too big for frozen food.

Might try feeding it a baby chicken, too. They're pretty small and can't do as much damage to your snake, so you could just toss it in there alive.
>> Anonymous
Woah. You might wanna also report that store. I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to d that.
>> Anonymous
>>285866
Previous anon is correct about the cages, though before I knew a lot about rats, I did keep a male in a 29g tank with no issues. I used a bedding with no dust or odor. A wire cage is also going to have a lot more options as far as fun things go (hammocks, extra levels, hanging toys, etc).

You can get a lot of interesting toys and stuff, or make your own, depending on just how involved you want to be with your rat. http://www.dapper.com.au/fun.htm has some of the cutest shit going on and I love it. Pet stores should have rat-specific toys, too. Big parrot toys are also an option, what with their edible wood, bells, and so on.

Now, concerning vet visits. I guess it depends on how much you're willing to spend, but if you can, I'd definitely get her in for a check up if your vet will look at her. Would also be nice to verify if she's pregnant or not, in case you need to start preparing for that.
>> Anonymous
>>285906
Yeah they are. Some stores will slam their heads on the edge of desks, too. If its meant to be eaten, they can kill it about however they want.
>> Anonymous
sue the FUCK out of that store.

dear god.


also, rats are easy. tablescraps make great treats, mine go crazy for leftover chicken bones and gristle (they eat the whole freaking bones)
>> Masterwork Bastard !wl59mComes
Pine shavings? Do you want to kill that rat via respiratory problems? Get something else NOW.

Oh, and was there visible skull fracture or anything?
>> Anonymous
I'd take it to the vet. ASAP. If anything for a check up.
>> Masterwork Bastard !wl59mComes
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Also, it is dangerous to separate rat gender alone. Take this! If the rat doesn't have these, it's a female.
>> Anonymous
??? Say what? Why would a python need the rat to be dead? Most snake prefer the hunt. They have scales for a reason. Also strong muscles capable of crushing the rat's rib cage and spine if you have a true python. If you ever noticed your snake should most likely not be interested in the rat until it gets to near or higher than room temperature. Eating a cold meal is anti-productive to a snake's metabolism.
>> Anonymous
I have mixed emotions about this post.

I love rats, but why the sudden guilt, OP? Finishing the job (you're going to be killing more rodents anyway) and then purchasing or adopting a healthy non-feeder rat as a pet seems more humane. It's too late now, but maybe you should rethink your interest in reptiles if you're feeling bad for its food.
>> Anonymous
>>285936
Idiot detected.

It's hardly a "hunt" when a snake who hasn't actively stalked prey for possibly its entire life attempts to catch and eat a cornered animal. See that word? Cornered? It means that you have NO idea how the rat would react.

And who the fuck is serving the meal cold? You heat up frozen rats before you give them to a snake.
>> Anonymous
>>285946
Yeah, I am going to go with way to fuck up the snake. Enjoy your retard snake that has no instinct to kill prey properly.
>> Anonymous
>>285900

Guy's usually out taking care of people's livestock, so he probably does rats. I'll check.

Thanks for the advice.

>>285909

And thanks for the site. Cute.

>>285903

I'm not dealing with those people anymore when it comes to snake food. I have another person in my state who deals frozen rodents.

>>285927

Yeah, I know what nuts look like.

Do they all get those cuddly fatrolls, though? That looks cuddly.

>>285936
>>285949

Firstly, Sheelah is perfectly capable of killing. She was somebody else's snake for several years, and they fed her live. I even fed her live when I first got her, and she slams them.

However, as>>285946stated, it's not the same as her hunting like a wild snake. I don't know what that rat might do. I'm afraid for her if she fucks up in the slightest. Also, I don't particularly enjoy the idea of having to force-feed her in the event that she gets an infection or one of those not-frozen rats gives her parasites.

Secondly, Sheelah doesn't care whether they are alive or room temperature. She's a real pig.

Thirdly, I like how you talk like she's going to ever need those instincts. She's not suffering by being fed dead things, because she will never have to experience hunting in the wild.

But this thread isn't really about my snake, anyway. It's about helping the rat. Thanks bunches, Anon.

>>285939

But this is a good post.

As I mentioned before, I didn't feel right killing her after she had to go through somebody trying and failing. I've never killed a rat before, so I don't imagine anything I could do would be swift, either. Since she seemed healthy, I thought I should give her a chance.

I'm fine with giving my snakes an animal that's been killed humanely.
>> Anonymous
>>285990
>>Do they all get those cuddly fatrolls, though?

I think males are more prone to getting blimpy. Mine certainly did. My females, however, always stayed pretty lean and petite.
>> Anonymous
Male rats can suck their testicles inside of their body to hide them. Keep checking and try to see if they ever show. It's easier to look for nipples, though. You can't see or feel a male's nipples.

I don't know why snakefags get so obsessive about "The hunt." It's like a bunch of them have some repressed anger issues that they channel through the snake or something. It's an animal and it needs to eat, yes, but it's not something to wet yourself over. I'm reminded of Tom Green in Road Trip.

It's probably more humane to let the snake kill the animals then get fresh killed ones (The snake is better at its job than whatever fuckhead gets hired at the pet shop), but I understand wanting to protect your animal.
>> Anonymous
>>286017

You're probably right about my snake doing a better job than most people.

As for the rat testicles...What the fuck? Is there some sort of evolutionary benefit to that or what? I'll keep checking. Thanks.
>> Anonymous
>>285936
Hey, have you any idea what the difference is in wild snakes and captive bred and reaised? Yes, instinct to hunt is still there, but they don't know what to do. Most captive bred and raised snakes will give chase only for a little, until they find they can't hold onto it.
The rat can bite through a python's scales very easily, and their claws can get between them and rip the flesh. Any expert would advise against feeding younder snakes live food because they can get severely injured.

Scales only offer a little protection, and most snakes can't hold a squirming rodent fighting for it's life by it's mouth alone. And wrapping is just as dangerous.

Good advice though. I know it sounds cruel, but if you get another live rat, get an exacto-knife (something very sharp like that) and cut it's neck, the backside, not underside. It will slow the rat down, and your snake will be more prone to eat it with the smell of blood.
>> Anonymous
>>286049
>>As for the rat testicles...What the fuck? Is there some sort of evolutionary benefit to that or what?

Kinda like human males, it's controlled by things like temperature and fear.
>> Anonymous
>>286049

I've never actually seen an adult male rat suck in it's balls. In fact, never seen a male rat over 8 weeks old do it. They definitely can when younger though.
>> Anonymous
>>286049

>As for the rat testicles...What the fuck? Is there some sort of evolutionary benefit to that or what?

As a rule in nature, bigger balls = more capacity to impregnate multiple females. Rats breed 'like rodents,' no surprise there.