Live Or Dead?

[Menexenus]

I just got my ball python today. he is 6 months old and about 21 in. long. I don't know whether to feed him live mice or kill them first.

[BuckeyeBalls]

u can feed live thats fine. Just you HAVE to watch him.

If you dont feel safe feeding live then kill it and offer it

[kilabyte]

You should ask the person you got him/her from what was being offered to the snake. How often & what was refused if anything. Go from there.

[boasandballs]

Yes, see what he was eating before, it will make your life and his easier

[DJ_Bizarre]

I just fed 6 out of 10 of my hatchlings that i picked up this year live. I gave the mtheir first feed after they had gotten comfortable in their new homes since they have all already had their first shed. I started with live because I feel like it gives them a good and strong feeding response early on. In a few more weeks (if not this one), I am going to start trying to wheen them to f/t.

Hope this helps

P.S. My first bp was being fed live becasue that is what the breeder was offering, within 2 feedings, I have gotten him to take f/t without a problem.

[Lolo76]

None of my BPs will eat f/t consistently, so I just feed them live... it's easier for me, and ensures I won't be wasting any mice/rats. But it's up to both the owner and the snake, so just try what you prefer and see if the snake goes for it.