How to Kill Mice for Snake Food

Snakes may seem to be the ultimate predator, but if a live mouse is placed in with a snake--supposedly as food for the snake--the mouse might actually harm the snake, inflicting bites that scar or debilitate the reptile. Many snake owners pre-kill their feeder mice for this reason, giving the snake the benefit of fresh prey without any of the risk. This topic is the source of great controversy--snake owners agonize over whether there is in fact a humane way to kill mice for snake food, with each owner eventually arriving at the method that he, personally, believes to be the least traumatic to the mouse.

Instructions

    • 1

      Grasp the mouse firmly by the tail with one hand. You should only do this with mice that are more than three or four weeks of age: If they're any younger, you might pull the tail off.

    • 2

      Pinch the base of the mouse's head between the thumb and forefinger of your other hand.

    • 3

      Pull each end of the mouse in opposite directions.

    • 4

      Listen for the crack and snap that indicates the mouse's neck has been broken. The mouse will probably go very still. Its legs may twitch reflexively, but this is just a nerve reflex. The mouse is already dead.