The Hidden Animal Welfare Crisis of Pet Snake Breeding

1. The Hidden Mouse and Rat Factory Farm Industry

Globally, more mice and rats may be factory-farmed than cows, primarily to feed pet snakes and zoo animals. The industry has grown dramatically with pet snake ownership surging from 800,000 to 1.3 million US households between 2018 and 2024.

2. Conditions in Mouse and Rat Farms

Factory farms for rodents resemble those for chickens and pigs, with rows of cages providing less space than an iPad per animal. Slaughter methods include freezing and carbon dioxide gassing, and undercover investigations by PETA have documented filthy conditions and workers abusing animals.

3. Scale of the Problem

An estimated 200–650 million mice and rats are farmed annually for pet snakes and zoos, representing one of the world's largest sources of animal suffering despite receiving virtually no public attention.

4. The Hidden Intelligence and Behaviors of Rodents

Mice and rats possess distinct personalities, can learn complex tasks, help each other without incentive, and even laugh when tickled—qualities that challenge common negative perceptions about these species.

5. Potential Solutions

Reducing pet snake ownership through policies such as prohibiting pet store sales of snakes (implemented in some US cities) could significantly reduce the demand for farmed rodents and address this overlooked welfare crisis.