Debating F/T or live?

[Paysons Bps]

I'm going to buy a new ball python soon and I've been dabating for days now weather to start on live or F/T. I want to feed live it's less hastle than defrosting a mouse/rat, but on the other hand, it could be dangerous. I was wondering if you guys would leave your thoughts on what I should do.

-Thanks
-Payson!

[771subliminal]

I'm going to buy a new ball python soon and I've been dabating for days now weather to start on live or F/T. I want to feed live it's less hastle than defrosting a mouse/rat, but on the other hand, it could be dangerous. I was wondering if you guys would leave your thoughts on what I should do.

-Thanks
-Payson!

as long as you dont go and leave the mouse/rat/asf with your snake if they dont eat it after a lil bit youll be fine. in the wild there is noone there to feed them f/t

[rabernet]

One is not better than the other - both have their pro's and con's. I feed live almost exclusively, and I've never had anything more serious than an insignificant scratch here and there (probably less than 10 times in well over 15K live feedings over the past five years).

I feed f/t to my colubrids, mainly because it's easier to keep the smaller prey frozen for them than it is to keep a freezer full of rats for the ball pythons.

[Oxylepy]

Only reason I am feeding live is because one of my snakes looks at me like I'm insane when I offer her f/t. Everyone else gets their prey frozen, heated under a heat lamp, and then dangled in front of them.

[BMorrison]

I vote Live. Was a big believer in f/t until Furio lost interest. His last 3 feedings were live and Lily's last 2 feedings were live and it's gone perfect and much less hassle. I agree with Robin though, each has it's pro's and con's I just prefer exclusively feeding live now.

[J.Vandegrift]

I use almost only live just for the fact that it is much quicker and easier. I can feed my entire collection (about 75 snakes) in under 30 mins. With frozen thawed between thawing everything, then warming it up, then drying the excess water off, and then teasing every one of the snakes to take the meal I would spend hours feeding everything.

[fire-eyes]

Thanks for giving something like this thought before moving forward. Obviously this can cause a debate.

These are just my personal opinions after owning three snakes, one of which is a ball python.

Live Pros:
- Strong and fast hits
- I'm tired, I am not able to think of others right now

Live Cons:
- Some consider it cruel (to the food)
- Food can fight back and injure the snake, potentially seriously. This seems extremely rare, but do you want it happening even once?
- Mice and rats get really annoying sometimes


F/T Pros:
- No need to keep your own colony
- No need to go to the store every time it's feedin time
- Easy to store (freezer)
- Once switched from live, they'll probably be fine with F/T for life

F/T Cons:
- Some snakes get picky and will refuse to eat it
- Those that don't refuse can take considerable effort to switch
- Some F/T from pet stores are of a disgustingly low quality
- Extra time to thaw




I would try both and see what you prefer. I wasn't sure if I would say this but oh well, I'm going to: Watching a snake take down live prey is fascinating to me. Raw nature and power. At the same time I don't like to see it. Maybe I'm internally confused.

FYI I feed all of my snakes F/T. My ball python has always eaten them, and my boa refused them at first, started on live, but has since switched to F/T. I prefer F/T mainly because it drives me nuts having live mice or rats hanging around and it seems a bit cruel to me.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I was wondering if you guys would leave your thoughts on what I should do.

-Thanks
-Payson!

It's about being knowledgeable about your option and use common sense

There are a few keys that will help you minimize the risk.

I feed over 200 preys each months none of my snakes has ever sustained a serious injury that required my intervention.

Here are a few thing you can do.

Entice your snake(s) by pre-scenting the room.

Do not stress the feeder prior to being fed off.

Do not feed over sized prey, a Ball Python does not need a jumbo rats to thrive, a small to medium rat weekly is enough for an adult BP and because of their size do not pose a threat.

Removed the prey if not eaten within 20 minutes

Bottom line feed what works for your snake(s), what is convenient to you and what you are comfortable with.

[55Ballin]

I think Fresh Killed is the way to go. You get more nutrition from a F/K or live mouse/rat than F/T and a F/K animal cannot fight back. Balls are also much more prone to eating F/K because it has a more natural heat signature, smell, and movement when dangled.

[anatess]

We feed live because we breed our own rats. If the snake goes on hunger strike (as bp's are known to do), the rats get to live longer.

Tip: I put a block of food with the rat while he is in the same enclosure as the snake. Keeps him occupied.
Always be ready with the hemostat in case the rat gets coiled with his teeth free to clamp down on snake skin. Just stick the hemostat between his teeth and the snake. I've had to do this twice since we've had snakes. That's twice in 2 years.