A mouse when threatened will stay absolutely still and not move. A rat when threatened will fight to the death. Even a mouse can do lots of damage to a ball python. Think about this. A prey item will fight with all of its worth because that means its survival and will defend itself it will bite and scratch. Even if you feed 100 times with no bad accidents eventualy the odds will catch up to you.

Feeding live doesnt sharpen their hunting skills. For snakes hunting is not learned its instinctive. Snakes know how to eat right out of the egg and dont need to be taught. I have beed feeding Jojo fresh killed rodents since he was a baby and still hits with full force every time and i have had him for 2.5 years. If i had to choose to kill the mouse and do the mousey dance instead of the mouse maybe taking out an eye or biting its head. These snakes have beautiful markings and it would be an absolute shame to put a scar on it.

Feed fresh killed please. It tears my heart out when i see a post where someone's snake lost scales and has a scar because they fed live. Even national Zoos feed killed rodents. I say if the pros do it then i should too.

Someone please post that pic of that ball python that was attacked by a mouse.