Should we start a separate thread for the live vs f/t debate? It still seems to be going strong...

Quote Originally Posted by Zincubus View Post
Why on earth are you feeding live rats anyways ? There is simply no need IMHO .

One it's just cruel on the rats , at least in the wild they have a chance of escaping and try and run . In a confined space they get cornered and fight back to save their lives . Google snakes bit by rats !!! Scary what damage they can do to your precious snakes who don't quite as pretty with scarred heads or eyes missing !!
It isn't any more 'cruel' to feed live than it is for them to live their lives crammed into a petstore cage with ten other rats (maybe someone else has access to more humane pet stores, but I've not seen them). If you want rats and snakes to live naturally, you shouldn't keep them in captivity.

Instead of googling 'snakes bit by rats' you should search this forum for people who responsibly live-feed. Sometimes BPs will only eat live (this is also the case with many wild rescue animals I've worked with through the years) so sometimes there IS a need to feed live. If my BP would take f/t I'd do that simply bc it's easier, but she will literally starve herself to the point of losing weight if you offer her anything other than live prey.

Part of owning a snake is being willing to do whatever it takes to give that snake the best life possible. In the case of animals that won't take pre-killed prey, that means feeding live.