I have to agree also. We have close to 1500 animals,we do not however feed them all at once, but we go through and feed live in the racks since there isnt enough time to go through 1 at a time. I know the snakes for the most part and feed pre killed to the ones i know will eat right away. Most of our snakes have a feeding response and are waiting for food. The more timid ones I leave live in with for about an hour or so and never have any problems with them. As long as the rodents are fat and healthy and had acsess to water and food prior too there shouldnt be any problems. If you are uncertain you can always leave a piece of lab block in the cage with the snake and rat or mouse. I do that with hatchlings in the beginning just in case they do not take it right away. We breed our own rodents so live is easier, quicker and more covinient for us. I only pre-kill with the ones I know will eat right away b/c I dont want to waste the rat if they dont take it.
As for the first question, I honestley beleive that with ball pythons if they are taken out of a rack and put into a new enviorment to eat they just end up more stressed out. Ball pythons are use to living in termite mounds and ambush their prey. If they are taken out of their "home" and put into an unfamiliar place they are less likley to eat. I know alot of people do this and I am not saying it is worng. I just feel that ball pythons will be more consistant with food if they feel safe and secure. If you have enough snakes to buy a rack I would just feed in the rack to save on time and to keep the snakes feeling comfortable. Some may develope a feeding response but I look at that as a great sign b.c I know I have a snake that will seldomly refuse food. I have many yearling to adults that will latch onto the first thing they see, wether it be me or the rat, but I just work around them and make sure I am ready for them when I open their cage. Each snake is different and over time you become familiar with who is going to react in timid or aggressive ways.

Good Luck -- Sorry about the long post
Kim
N.A.R.C
WWW.northamericanreptileconnection.com

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