Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and a newbie to snakes. I have a Ball python that is almost 2 years old, I got him from a friend about 7 or 8 months ago. My friend always fed him live rats, and not knowing much about snakes, I continue to do this about every three weeks. Except for a time during the winter when he went about 3 months without feeding, he has always been very eager to eat. I never leave the rat with the snake unattended.

I've notice however that many online resources, as well as people here in the forum, seem to recommend not feeding live rats to their BPs. I feel like I'm lucky to have a snake that is so eager to eat as it is, and am reluctant to change anything about the way I feed him unless there is a reason to. Logically, it seems as if live feeding is best, as it encourages striking/constricting behavior which is natural to the snake.

However, like I said, I don't know much about snakes. What are your opinions on this (seemingly controversial) subject?

-Bob

You are right... controversial subject. I've got one on F/T (frozen - thawed) and prefer it just because it's cheaper and safer for the snake. My other had only been fed live by her previous owner. I immediately started pre-killing the rats (placed in bag & smacked on the ground) and she took to it no problem so I'd try that. She has yet to take frozen-thawed but I'm sure that will happen sooner or later.

Good luck.
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(¯`·.¸¸.·´Kane`·.¸¸.·´¯)

Here is a list of pros and cons of feeding live and prekilled.

Live:
pros-
snake is more likely to eat
you don't have to keep rats in the freezer
if the snake refuses one you can save it
you can breed them to save money

cons-
Live food carries tons of parasites and bacteria
Live food can seriously injur your snake
You must keep it alive in humane conditions if your snake doesn't eat it
Usually more expensive for feeding a single/few snakes
they smell bad
you must monitor feedings to ensure the rat/mouse doesn't attack the snake

PRekill/FT:
pros:
Carries no parasites and has minimal bacteria
no need to care for them
no need to monitor feedings
doesn't smell
once eating FT your snake will probably eat anything
very inexpensive

cons:
you have to have rats/mice in your freezer
you must thaw the rats/mice out
you can't reuse the same mouse/rat at different feedings

As far as the "live is natural" aspect, that has NO basis in captivity as in captivity you are as far away from ghana as you can get. Also, once every 3 weeks? sounds like you are skimping on meals there.
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good response! I would like to add that even in the wild snakes have been known to eat dead prey, and you can safely refreeze a f/t mouse that is not eaten - as long as it hasn't been sitting in your snakes cage for long. Some snakes have a stronger feeding response to refrozen mice - more pungent smelling.
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I say there's not a damn thing inherently wrong with offering live food to your snake. I recommend only that you be vigilant in monitoring the feedings. The snake can be harmed very quickly by a rat. I recommend that you have forceps or some other such object that may be placed into the rat's mouth once the snake grabs it... this is useful in case the snake get's a bad hold that allows the rat to gnaw upon him. It does not take long for an ugly wound to be created.... be careful.

> It does not take long for an ugly wound to be created

Why would you even risk a $3 rat gnawing on a $60 python, or god forbid a $1000 or more morph. Dead rats don't bite.