I feed live, to be honest, because it is easier. I breed my own rats, and my snakes readily take live rats. I don't like the hassle of thawing/warming live rats, it stinks and it's gross. I love rats, I have had pet rats for 5 years, but I would be prefer feeding live over frozen. I don't, however, enjoy watching/hearing the rats die. I really don't watch the snakes eat.