Quote Originally Posted by ericeod View Post
I've had no problems with my Spider (knock on wood). His first meal was a rat fuzzy which he struck, constricted and ate in less than 5 minutes. I then tried f/t and he ate them just as quick. I don't use tongs (should I?) and just place the mouse in another feeding container. I place my Spider in, he cruises the tub, finds the hopper and strikes. He doesn’t constrict the f/t, he just starts swallowing from the head.

f/t really is much easier and safer for my Spider.
I'd highly suggest it. The main reason is that your hands will pick up the scent of the rat. It's a lot more likely to lead to a bite when you go to pick up the snake. As far as he knows, it's a warm object moving that smells like rat.