Why feed live prey?

This is really interesting :) I'm quite lucky really, Pretzel is my only Ball Python and she's never really had a massive problem with eating. I feed her F/T, but as far as I am aware (and feel free to correct me if I am wrong!) feeding live is actually illegal in the UK, so don't have much of a choice.

Also I live with my grandparents, and it was ultimately down to them whether or not I could keep Pretzel here. One of their rules was only if her food is frozen. If it came down to it and I had to feed live, I could do it, but at the moment as it is I have no other choice but f/t.

::: I'm not saying I'm completely oblivious to the fact that there are some people in the UK that will live feed :) Just that f/t is all Pretzel knows, she's fine with it, and also (knowing my luck) I'd get caught if I did try it!

Satomi- I agree and would exchange or trade my snake before any health issues arose while switching or any risky weight loss happened. I was lucky enough to get 2 snakes that had no issues.

Ferrets are great. I was curious what the different 'morphs' you listed in your signature were and google imaged "Sable ferret" ... somehow this popped up?

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/o...2052010175.jpg

I started feeding live ASFs because they are readily available and it's convenient because I work third shift. I feed on my night off. I feed the smaller ones first, if one doesn't eat it goes to the next in line. My big female eats four but leftovers go back in the tank for next week. Which is very convenient. Soft furs stink much less than normal rats and a live soft fur is the best way to get a stubborn ball python to eat.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Satomi- I agree and would exchange or trade my snake before any health issues arose while switching or any risky weight loss happened. I was lucky enough to get 2 snakes that had no issues.

Ferrets are great. I was curious what the different 'morphs' you listed in your signature were and google imaged "Sable ferret" ... somehow this popped up?

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/o...2052010175.jpg

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Lolol.
Well......the ferret pictured is indeed a sable. >_<
Sable is the wildtype coloring and pattern. If you look at their wild ancestors, the European Polecat, they will look identical.

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Originally Posted by evan385

I started feeding live ASFs because they are readily available and it's convenient because I work third shift. I feed on my night off. I feed the smaller ones first, if one doesn't eat it goes to the next in line. My big female eats four but leftovers go back in the tank for next week. Which is very convenient. Soft furs stink much less than normal rats and a live soft fur is the best way to get a stubborn ball python to eat.

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I want to try asfs, but sadly its $25/rat where I'm from. Plus they're illegal in my state, so its a little difficult to find other sources.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

I was very adamant about feeding only F/T for a very long time. As my collection grew, my attitude quickly changed. Once I started breeding my own feeders it became much more convenient to feed live. No more worries about keeping track of which snakes only take live and which ones will take F/T. No more thawing dozens of rodents out on feeding day. My snakes seem to fast much less as well. Pros vs Cons for me swing my decision to feeding live.

Do I have snakes with bite scars? Yes, I have 3 actually. Do I feel bad about it? Yes, I do:(. Will I discontinue feeding live? No. I've never had a snake have a serious injury and hopefully I never will. But, as far as how I feed and how others feed, I've always felt "I'll take care of my animals how I want, and you take care of yours how you want"

[QUOTE=satomi325;1784610
I want to try asfs, but sadly its $25/rat where I'm from. Plus they're illegal in my state, so its a little difficult to find other sources.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Soft furs are $3 here. You need a license sell them but it's legal to breed for personal use and sell extras to the licensed breeder you bought them from.

I wanted to add that the horror stories you hear are usually from people who walked away while feeding live, even for a minute. The whole point of observing is to make sure nothing happens and be prepared to pull a rat if you have to. Most serious injuries could have been avoided.