Live feeding in tank? (Warning-graphic photo!)

[Kryptic]

I fed mine live for about 10 weeks until I was ready to switch to frozen thawed and wish I did it sooner. That said, logistically, I used to clear most of his tank clutter so that the rodent couldn't go in an empty hiding spot and so that I wouldn't have anything blocking me if I needed to intervene in the feeding. I made sure the rodent was calm before putting it in the tank. I placed it in the tank opposite of my snake and sat down to wait. Within a minute or so, the rodent would wander too close to the snake, or the snake would actively stalk it and strike. After the strike, I would make sure that the rodent's mouth was clear of the snake, even if that meant spinning the snake around or something. I would then stick my tongs in the rodent's mouth to actively prevent a bite until it was dead.

Now, in terms of safety, I definitely agree that live feeding is not safe for the snake. It only takes a split second for a rodent to bite. It only takes one bite to puncture vitals, cause permanent damage, or create an infection. On top of that, f/t is so much more convenient. No box full of rodent poop, no rodent urinating and defecating on itself and your snake when it gets coiled, no squeals of pain, no fighting back, no foul rodent stink, and no chance of the feeder escaping and making itself at home.

In terms of cage-aggression, I can see how some people could mistake a feeding response for aggression. My snake has been a very good eater so far. When he hasn't eaten in a few days and I open the tank, he sometimes shows feeding/hunting behavior. It's a certain way of moving that he exhibits when "hunting down" a prey item, including f/t feeders, since I make him work for his meals. I can see how that hunting/feeding behavior could be mistaken for aggression. It's no big deal. I just don't reach in and grab him when he's acting that way. Instead, I tap him with something to let him know that I'm going in to pick him up (I always tap him before I pick him up) and give him a minute to cool off and process that he's being handled, not fed.