Feeding geckos to snakes?!

[mörten]

:main_angry: So, this guy put up a post on a forum about two blind geckos that he no longer wants to take care of. If he did not get these sold fast, he would feed them to his snakes because "this is how it is done in the wild". Personally, I think this is quite brutal since the geckos in our care grow up in a safe enviroment without having to face the hardships that geckos in the wild have to. I know that geckos dont have the same level of consciousness that we humans have, but still I think this is irresponsble behaviour when considering all the available alternatives.

Am I overreacting or do you guys think this is acceptable?

 

[B&B Geckos]

Some breeders use this method to cull geckos with deformities, not diseases, using the circle of life argument. One has to consider that refrigeration followed by freezing and carbon dioxide chambers have their drawbacks as well. If you look through the archives you'll find some that have culled using a shot gun and others by dropping a cinder block, both argued that its quick. Controversial topic. Personally, some of these methods make me cringe. However, I will assume that everyone has good intentions when a gecko is suffering and will reserve judgement.

In this case, blind geckos often learn to catch prey by feel. I do agree that he should consider adopting them first, but selling them, seems like blackmail of sorts.

 

[bfb345]

Since he has two geckos who are blind there maybe something genetic and he needs to get rid of them or they could just be old either way it isn't to bad I wouldn't reprimand him but I probably wouldn't do it myself

 

[mörten]

Besides their blindness, they are perfectly healthy. I just don't understand the reason for ending two healthy geckos lives like that. I do understand what he is coming from with the circle of life argument, but I just could not imagine putting my gecko in the snake tank just because I did not get it sold in one day.

I am not in favor for the freezing methods either. I think you should take it to the vet and let it sleep

 

[DrCarrotTail]

First off, I'm not advocating this guy feeding his full grown geckos to his snakes but I raise mice for my snakes in much the same way that I raise my geckos and there isn't as much debate about that. They're all raised in healthy clean environments and I even hold and become attached to some of each species. I don't see a huge amount of difference. IMO the biggest difference is the way the species is perceived by people as food or pet.

I would agree with B&B that the guy is looking to make a quick buck by preying on the sympathy of others.

 

[stager]

Every one has different opinions on this but in this case I think acceptable.

 

[bfb345]

I agree with dr carrot tail I don't see any wrong here

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I know someone who used to breed Enigmas (over 200 of them), but once they all showed symptoms, he culled them by feeding them to his monitors. Geckos are a natural part of the diet of some snakes, though I don't believe in feeding anything live unless absolutely, 100% necessary. But it does sound like he's just trying to get them sold.

~Maggot

 

[mörten]

Thank you all for your input! I have a better understanding for why one might use geckos, or other animals considered pets for that matter, for feeding other animals. Fortunately, he got them sold. Atleast thats what he says, so I really hope the geckos got a new home