Vox
June 17, 2026
TL;DR
Pet snake ownership has surged from 800,000 to 1.3 million US households since 2018, driving a massive mouse and rat farming industry that may breed 200–650 million animals annually under factory farm conditions, representing a major but overlooked animal welfare crisis.
“It represents one of the biggest sources of animal suffering in the world. And yet, it has received virtually zero attention.”
“Rats even laugh if you tickle them.”
“If we can set aside our biases against these creatures, it becomes clear that factory farming them has become a huge animal welfare problem, and one that is worthy of our attention and action.”
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.