Stupid question... maybe?

I am not really sure where I am supposed to post a question like this so sorry if I am wrong.

It may be a stupid question as I am sure there are LOTS of breeders out there that feed live but I have a fear. I have personally (once) watched a female ball python attempt to consume a smaller (600g) male ball python. The female was fed live and well, I guess you can guess what happened.

But ALL of my snakes are fed live and even though my friend said that this was the first time she has ever seen this happen that it is not something I should worry about, but I am totally freaking out.

I have a couple of super strong eaters. Like, they barely have to smell a moving mouse before they strike at anything that moves. That includes me. I have been struck at some of my most strongest feeders and most aggressive. I worry that my females (some of them are as big as 2800g+) will mistake a male for food the second I put him in with her. Will this happen?

It really is super rare.

Couple of tips might reduce the chances even further;

Pair them two days after the male and female have fed and never on a day you are feeding anything else. This reduces the smell of prey which might confuse them as to what is happening when you open the enclosure.

Supervise them for the first 30 minutes or so ( if you have paired two males by mistake there may be combat ).

If the female recently shed that seems to help get the male interested as can misting the tank lightly - leave the old shed in there as long as it isn't all stinky.

Once you have seen a lock and they have seperated you can remove the male - his job is done so no need to leave him for the full three days.


dr del