I for one, use to hate people who fed live. But I dont any longer. AS LONG as they feed appropriatly for size. When feeding live, you shouldnt feed anythign larger than a small/small rat. If your snake is say.. feeder larger, it should be f/t. And you must feed appropriate for size, of the snake and the prey suffer. We breed our own rats and mice. Make sure lots of handling is happening if you do that (handling of the rodent) so they are calm and sweet. A tamed, loving, rodent is much better to feed then one that is in shock and stress and realize what is going to happen (usually the petstore boughten ones) I for one like to breed because our rodents know love before they go. And they are calmer, and we need certain sizes. Unlike petstore ones that are scared, never knew anyone that loved them and treated them with respect before they go. This is just us. And our opinions and beliefs.