Quote Originally Posted by echinox
New BP owner here, so bare with me . I've been reading many of the threads on live vs PK or F/T and have come to the conclusion of personal preference, for whatever reasons anyone may have. (ease of one over the other, cost, "pickyness" of BP, etc).

What I haven't been able to find is just how much of the animal/wild instinct does feeding live retain? In other words, does NOT feeding live lessen the aggression of the snake and thus the likelyhood that it may strike the handler (me)?

Also, I've heard/read about feeding the snake (regardless of live vs prekilled) on a box or enclousure outside of its tank to avoid food association with your "hand going into the tank", is this true?

Thanks, and bare in mind that I'm a newbie .
The type of food you feed does not increase aggression IMHO.

The food association with your hand is a myth...the smell of the rat is what triggers your bp to go into feed mode, so unless you're handling a rat and then sticking your hand in the tank I don't think you should have a problem.