i feed my ball python live also, but in regards to the hog i think it is easier on my hog to feed live. like we discussed in the other thread, they get pretty aggressive. just this week i threw her mouse in and walked away to the other side of the room and noticed that she was watching me instead of the mouse. i covered her cage and stayed by so i could check every minute or two to be sure everything was goin good. point being i think IF she would take a f/t from me that it might be kinda stressful, since she gets so worked up when she gets in feeding mode and im on the other side of the room. also, ive gotta say i am not worried about her, she is a BEAST once there is a mouse in there.