Increase in Pet Snake Ownership Raises Concerns About Feeder Rodent Welfare

The number of households in the United States owning pet snakes has increased from approximately 810,000 in 2018 to 1.3 million in 2024. This growth has led to a rise in the breeding of feeder rodents, primarily mice and rats, to sustain these pets. Investigations into rodent farming practices have revealed overcrowded and inhumane conditions, with a lack of federal animal welfare oversight. Pet snakes typically consume a diet of feeder rodents, and the demand for these animals has resulted in the farming of hundreds of millions of mice and rats annually. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has stated that it is acceptable for a female mouse and her litter to live in a space smaller than an iPad, highlighting the inadequate living conditions in rodent farms. Methods of euthanasia for these animals include freezing and carbon dioxide gassing, which have raised ethical concerns among animal welfare advocates. The rapid growth of the feeder rodent industry has prompted discussions on potential solutions, such as changing the diets of pet snakes to reduce reliance on live animals and improving welfare standards for rodent suppliers.