If you have a snake that eats F/T especially if it's a ball be happy. Not only is It safer it's less of.a pain Because you can buy the feeders in bulk and store them. I have 5 snakes.myself And 3 will ONLY eat live. (Yes I've tried all the trick in the books to switch them.over..) to the F/T being better health wise I've never heard of it being better. Only cheaper. Someone else with more experience could probably answer this for sure though.