Quote Originally Posted by Dracoluna View Post
If the animal has never been offered live, then I would start with something that's less likely to harm it like a crawler rather than a small rat right off the bat. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well their instincts work to their advantage. A rescue girl I have was fed nothing but F/T since being purchased at PetCo. When I got her, I noticed that despite only dead 'prey', she still always grabs the head, coils tightly, and holds that long enough for a live rodent to have expired. That is what their instincts are for. Start with something small that can't harm her and if she does well, move her up. Just supervise the feedings and make sure no one gets hurt.

I only feed F/T but I can understand not wanting rats taking up freezer space. Nothing like having a guest looking for ice at a party and hearing the screams from the kitchen because you forgot to hide them behind the frozen veggies... Oops...
According to the breeder, she has taken live in the past but sporadically. I am trying your suggestion now and offering her a live rat fuzzy (she has been on F/T rat pups).