feeding live mice vs. frozen

[nashveg]

I'm sure this topic has already been covered here many times, but please indulge me as I'm a relatively new snake owner...

The word is that feeding live mice makes the snakes more aggressive. True? What if I feed the mice to the snakes in a separate container than their regular cages?

I realize that mice can fight back and possibly injure a snake, but I also hear that the lab mice are far less aggressive than wild ones- which is what I'd be using.

Potential pros and cons?...

• live mice are easier than thawing/dangling?
• live mice make the snake more aggressive
• live mice can hurt the snake
• the snake enjoys eating live mice more?
• etc.?

Thanks!

[AmandaRisher]

I have always fed my BP live. She isnt aggressive at all either. She is one of the calmest hatchling I have ever seen to be honest. Never even hinted at wanting to bite. They are cheaper in the long run too. Buy some adults and breed them. Thats what I do for mine . My snake got bit once, but it didnt hurt her. She just kept squeezing and then ate it. Nbd. If your worried about them hurting the snake, prekill them. I cant do it, my husband has to tho for the aggressive mice. Its supposed to be healthier live bc freezing takes out some of the nutrients.

[Nate]

The word is that feeding live mice makes the snakes more aggressive. True?

ha. False. Where'd you get that "word" ?

What if I feed the mice to the snakes in a separate container than their regular cages?

A lot of people feed in their regular cages. There's debate on whether or not it stresses the animal out, but some people have better success with it. Try both ways.

I realize that mice can fight back and possibly injure a snake, but I also hear that the lab mice are far less aggressive than wild ones- which is what I'd be using.

I would highly advise that you DON'T feed wild mice. You never know how much rat poison that mouse has eaten.

[Nate]

A lot of people feed in their regular cages. There's debate on whether or not it stresses the animal out, but some people have better success with it. Try both ways.

correction - I meant there is a debate on whether or not feeding in a separate enclosure is stressful on the animal.

[Quiet Tempest]

I only feed live rodents to hatchlings until they accept pre-killed or frozen/thawed. Personally, I prefer feeding freshly killed mice to my animals simply to avoid any instances of rodent-related injuries. Many years ago when I only owned a few snakes we did feed live but after one of our snakes received a nasty bite from a rat we put an end to that. That snake still has remnants of that scar and it serves as a reminder for me of why I kill the rodents beforehand.


I don't think the snake finds any more enjoyment out of eating pre-killed mice than live. The snake simply wants to eat. It's not a game or sport for them, it's just in their nature to find prey and consume it. Their enjoyment comes from having a fully belly.

I'm not sure about frozen rodents losing nutritional value. Unless they've been frozen and shelved for a long period of time, I would think the nutritional value would be no less than a freshly killed rodent and most frozen rodent suppliers don't freeze their mice/rats until the order has been placed. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I don't ordinarily use frozen feeders because I buy live from a vendor along his route.