Live feed or dead feed!

[Andrew00]

Ok, I do not have a ball python yet, but I figured I should make this decsision and get it out of the way. I have heard that there of course risks of live feedings, but I suppose I am leading a little towards that, but probably because it would be really exciting (I know, selfish).

[Shelby]

Each has it's pros and cons. Nice thing about frozen is you can stash a couple months worth of food in the freezer and not have to worry about finding the correct size live rodent each week.

However small, there is a risk of your snake being hurt by it's (live) food and if you don't get healthy rodents they may carry parasites.

[gen]

Welcome to the site.

There was recently a huge thread on this subject so here it is:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/PNphpBB2...ic-t-6910.html


It'd be better for you to check that out rather than starting the debate all over again.

[kontron]

DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you could search the forums for hours and find many posts on this.
it all boils down to dead is safer, less stress, and less of a hasstle. i can get 10 dead rats and that lasts a month in the freezer for both snakes. the only benefit i know of frozen food is there are slightly less nutrients due to the freezing and thawing. but you can always feed a fresh killed mouse every other few feeds to get the snake everything it needs. the only people i know that feed live are newbie owners (like i was once myself).

[kavmon]

i feed frozen and live. i mainly feed frozen, about 80-90% of the time. sometimes they get stubborn or picky and i feed live. i feed frozen more because of cost and getting the right sizes. if i could get live for the same cost and the same selection as frozen i might feed live more. i've never had a problem feeding live or frozen.
i'm only feeding 12 snakes a week now.


vaughn

[green_man]

whew! you picked a doozy of a convo lol.
There are many factors going into it and good points made all around.
I personaly feed frozen thawed or pre killed. If you do decide to go live, make sure to supervise closely.

Definitely check out the thread mentioned above, lots of good info there.

you must all have pretty picky snakes. the right size? pandora will eat anything i put in there as long as it moves

[Shelby]

you must all have pretty picky snakes. the right size? pandora will eat anything i put in there as long as it moves

well too small = not enough food = eventually skinny snake

too big = obese snake or potential regurge = unhappy snake

[Cody]

Ok, I do not have a ball python yet, but I figured I should make this decsision and get it out of the way. I have heard that there of course risks of live feedings, but I suppose I am leading a little towards that, but probably because it would be really exciting (I know, selfish).

I'll put this the way I see things.

You mentioned in your post you were leaning toward feeding live because it would be exciting. IMO that's not the best reason to feed live. I feed frozen thawed, and every feeding with my ball python is just as exciting as the first one. She still stalks the prey, she still strikes and coils. She still swallows it whole. Not much different from feeding live, I wouldn't think. Except maybe the squeels and struggle for life, lol. So if you want those, make the squeels yourself.
Honestly though, it's all in what you think is best for your snake. But since you're a new owner, I'd maybe recommend you try prekilled or frozen thawed.

Hope that helps.

[Shelby]

Good point Cody. Snakes usually treat prekilled prey the same way as live. Sometimes after awhile they will learn that their food is always dead, and will just eat it, but even so, it's facinating to watch a snake eat it's prey whole. Whether it had to kill it or not.