Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am curious to know has there every been any scientific studies done on the feeding and the attitudes of the snakes, live feedings as opposed to frozen thawed? Only because I have noticed in the past the snakes that are fed live food were more active had more of an attitude to the snakes that were fed frozen thawed or pre-killed, had more of a lazy almost sleepy and not very active.

It seems like when they get to kill the prey themselves they are more active and curious in their surroundings, as opposed to having it already killed for them (frozen thawed). Has anyone experienced or noticed this behavior? I am interested in anyone's experiences and/or opinions on this.

I know there are a number of older papers in J. of Herpetology and Copeia that cover this and other feeding/behavioral ecology questions. Gordon Burghardt of the University of Tenessee did a number of studies on innate feeding responses in juvenile snakes that looked at behavior and feeding...I can try and dig up the actual citations if you want.

cheers,
gabriel

I havn't seen any papers on the topic but with great husbandry, as opposed to adequate husbandry, I don't think this is an issue.
For any concern, after the initial strike and grab, I'll add a little fun by fighting and tugging the rabbit. My BCC vigorously coils and holds until the prey is "killed". The benefits of prekilled or f/t animals far outweigh feeding live.