Hey snake owners, are these foolish statements?

Yes, very.

While there are some species of snake that prey on non-rodents, it would be both stupid and inhumane to force a snake to conform to your moral standards. Most snakes eat rodents. If that bothers you, don't own a snake.

As far as feeding live, I personally don't recommend it, unless the snake absolutely refused to eat pre-killed, simply because a live rodent can injure a snake.

Snakes do sometimes refuse food, but that doesn't mean you should just stop offering rodents and offer them a piece of broccoli. There are a number of reasons why snakes might not eat, which should be addressed properly.

As far as rodents being expendable...well, there's a reason why they have many babies per litter, and many litters per year. Ever watch or read Watership Down? There's a legendary rabbit whose name means "Prince with a thousand enemies." That name could apply to any rodent. It's their lot in life.

I don't think you have to hate rodents to like snakes, or hate snakes to like rodents. You can like both and still accept the circle of life. To quote Finding Nemo, "Fish gotta swim, birds gotta eat."

Well, the way those statements are phrased, they are foolish. They aren't without some truth though.

Snakes do not have to have rodents. But 99% of snake species need some form of whole prey to be healthy. Be it birds, lizards, other snakes, fish, etc. So are all these more "expendable"?

I have no idea whether rodents are "expendable", what qualifies anything as expendable? Every living thing consumes other living things, or at the least things that were alive.

I have no idea of "should", but most species of snakes evolved to eat warm blooded prey. Though, there are many species, kingsnakes, black headed pythons, indigos, etc, that actually will not live as long if fed primarily rodents. Rodents are primarily used because they are easy to breed and cheap, and for most species fairly healthy.

If her argument is that people who own rodents as pets should not feed rodents to snakes, there are options. Green snakes can eat insects. Other species can eat chicks, lizards, other snakes, amphibians, fish, worms, and rabbit kits. You would have to do your research though and make sure your snake is getting balanced nutrition.

But if her argument is that all snakes should eat a rodent free diet, she's wrong. This wouldn't work for most of the commonly kept species. Rodents are the safest, healthiest, and most easily available food source for the average snake owner. If you object to the idea of feeding them, then a snake probalby isn't the pet for you. You accommodate your pet, they don't accommodate you.

There are also no "vegetarian" snakes, all need some kind of whole animal prey.

... I am a rodent lover, but I love all animals. I don't think mice or rats are expendable, but if the specific species of snake needs to eat rodents(most snakes in the pet trade), then they have to eat rodents.. But, I do hope that when breeding the rats and mice for snake food, they are still given a good life, such as enrichment, adequate space, and clean compartments.

LOL.

Complete idiocy.

Now, yes *some* species of snake DO NOT, as a matter of fact, eat a rodent-based diet in the wild.

These species will eat insects, fish, frogs, birds and lizards. So yes, in captivity they will eat something else.

HOWEVER, if its not one of these species they NEED rodent prey. You cannot convince a cornsnake to eat a cricket. Some of the larger snakes will eat chickens or rabbits or even pigs.

HOWEVER, in the pet trade if we are talking common captive species they eat rodents or if it's a large snake they will eat the bigger prey animals.

*sigh* stupid ignorant people be stupid.

Mind you, she sounds like the sort of vegetarian that would feed a vegetarian diet to a cat or dog...which is ridiculous.

You can use guinea pigs and rabbits too...

Bugs

Worms

Stuff that moves guess...

I am a turtle person too, and would never own a snake. I grew up with rodents.

You're a horrible person. Mice are beautiful creatures. Turtle are like an old woman

Stop using capitalizes words you ******* ***** just go and drop dead already!