From 2018 to 2024, the number of U.S. households owning pet snakes increased from approximately 810,000 to 1.3 million. This rise in popularity has led to a significant demand for feeder rodents, primarily mice and rats, which are bred in factory farms under conditions that have raised animal welfare concerns. Investigations have highlighted overcrowded and inhumane living conditions for these animals, which are not protected by the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Pet snakes typically consume a diet consisting of feeder rodents, with some snakes eating multiple mice or rats weekly. The breeding and slaughter of these rodents occur with little oversight, leading to practices that can cause suffering. For instance, methods of euthanasia, such as carbon dioxide gassing, have been criticized for causing distress to the animals.
The feeder rodent industry has expanded, with estimates suggesting that between 200 to 650 million rodents are farmed globally for snake food, primarily for markets in the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, imports of feeder rodents from China have increased significantly, raising further concerns about animal welfare standards in both countries.
To address these issues, some advocates suggest reducing the number of pet snakes, improving standards for feeder rodent suppliers, and exploring alternative diets for pet snakes that do not rely on live or frozen rodents. Companies are beginning to offer meat-based products that could potentially reduce the number of feeder rodents needed for pet snakes.