I feed live because it's easier and I have ready access to feeders, and have done so since I got my first ball python 21 years ago - I can count on one hand the number of bites my snakes have experienced in that time. To be fair, one of those was a horrible incident when I was a kid leaving a rat in overnight, and I can assure you the best method to prevent bites is to keep the feeder well fed and watered beforehand.

The few bites I have seen where the rat/mouse actually made contact with the snake, there was either no broken skin/scales or the wound was so small it disappeared by the next shed. The only time I am concerned is when the rodent's mouth is by the snake's face, and generally only for the babies. My big girls are BRUTAL when it comes to eating - the entire rack rocks when they strike and when I do check on the rat, it is usually already gasping for breath 5 seconds after being grabbed. As another poster mentioned, these are predators and when given the chance, they are VERY good at it!

-Jen