Live feeding: in-tank or separate tub?

[Cheesenugget]

I keep snakes and pet rats, including 1 that was a feeder rat that we ended up keeping as a pet. The sweetest of the bunch, though shy at first, he licks our hands and enjoys being scratched on the head. Feeder rats make good pets if time and patience to tame is given, they are prone to more health problems but not certainly guaranteed.

I know you feel bad after you released that rat. Until you switch to f/t, please do not do that anymore. Feeder/pet rats are domesticated, not wild. They will die a horrible death out there. Wild rats will attack it for intruding into their territory, dogs will tear it apart, bird of prey will get to it, etc... And if it survives predators, it will die from starvation because they rely on people for shelter and food.

I'm trying to be as civil about this, especially when you make a comment about being an animal lover and you enjoyed giving a live rat to your snake so that you can watch nature takes its course. Feeding live because you have to vs feeding live for entertainment is very different, and to be frank, not much of an animal loving behavior on your part. If you want to see how it's done, go on YouTube and numerous nature channels available for your fun. I fed live, both mice and rats, to my ball python. He was also a picky eater. I also transitioned him to f/t. Not once did I enjoy hearing the scream of that mouse or seeing my snake coil around that rat did I find any pleasure in it. Nothing about the way we keep our snakes in captivity is similar to their native habitat because it's not, no matter how much fake plant and decorations are placed in there. So what you are seeing wouldn't happen in the wild, because in the wild, that rat would have been much smarter (Used to danger and predators), acutely aware of its surrounding, most likely to evade or know to avoid where potential predators are. In other words, an inexperienced captive snake going after a trapped, unexpected rat isn't really a fair fight, is it?

Like I said, I fed live before, so I'm not against it. If done right, the snake could quickly and tight, and the rat is immediately knocked out a dies in seconds. However, if your snake misses, the threat of that rat fighting back goes up, it will bite and scratch, and that rat will suffer slowly before it dies. If your snake is an adult in good health, and there is no urgency to feed her, then wait it out until she takes f/t. Offer every 2-3 weeks. Warm the rat up properly using the hair dryer method.

When you sign up to take in a ball python, it's assumed you had done your research knowing what you are getting into. That also means you are responsible for the rat if she doesn't eat it. Whether or not you see them as pets, or that they are for your entertainment value, treat it humanely. That's what loving animals is about. Be kind.