I haven't tried live, because I'm afraid of him getting bitten.....do you think I should?? If he eats live, then do I have to always feed him live? I don't know where to get a steady supply of live mice in my area...only the f/t......I'm in Alberta....and you can't buy live rats in Alberta, Canada (against the law)....we are a "rat free province"....but I could buy a pet store mouse to try live if need be......but then I'd be switching him from rats to mice too (another change for him).....whaddaya think?