I'ma just add to the cost thing of Ft vs Live, FT may be cheaper if your snake actually EATS FT.

I've been trying for a long time to get Kallista to eat FT, but she just doesn't like it. I don't and WON'T buy bulk FT because it's way to bloody expensive with the shipping and all for rats that I'll have an overabundance of that my single growing ball python probably will only eat 20% or LESS of, the rest needing to be thrown out eventually.

Seeing it that way, it's more worth it for me to go out and either spend 2-8$ on 1-4 mice(mice are 2.15$ with tax) At 500 or so grams, Kalli can probably take two larger adult mice. Or 8$ on one rat of almost any size(expensive, yes, I know, but more worth it when she actually eats them.)

I agree though, it's all a personal preference. I was thinking of just asking Petco for some dirty gerbil bedding to thaw my rats in, but it would be easier just to go down to Alley cat(where I buy my feeder mice/rats) and pick up a live one. I'll have to get over my love for rats and just not think too much about it and just on Kallista eating. (Or I could feed her mice since 1) it's a little cheaper 2) I don't care about feeding mice to Kallista and 3) I don't care if she doesn't grow as big or as fast as snakes on rats because I just want her to eat.


Sorry if this sounds somewhat... harsh? It's just stressful to spend 12$ on 3 rats only to have to throw them out after the first or second thawing.

I was expecting this 'fun' though when I got a ball python, fully knowing that they were picky eaters, reading about all the hugner strikes and FT vs Live threads, ect, and it's a lot of work, but worth it for these wonderful reptiles!

I'll just say now though, I probably will just stick with lizards of all sizes and maybe eventually a snake I know will almost always eat anything.


This is just my opinion/view/thought/experience with ft vs live