Live or Frozen?

[RobNJ]

I mean, it was obviously alive when the rat started chewing, so what snake would not defensively strike? Not saying live is the best or only way to go, just saying, I think that that photo has more at play than it states.

It's not really in a bp's nature to defensively lash out. Years ago, a friend of mine left a mouse in with a perfectly healthy juvenile bp for 2 days, and that mouse absolutely did a number on the snake's back, but nothing compared to that picture.

I'd guess that picture was taken after the snake and rat/mouse were left together for 4+ days.