Prekilled or Live?

[Tat&Tu]

When I got my first snake Tat, I tried to feed frozen prekilled mice cuz they parasite free and all that with no risk of bites. Out of 3 mice she ate one only. It is a struggle to get her to eat prekilled. So I tried live and she eats them regularly no problems at all no stuggles. So I think she got used to eating live over the 6 months I have had her. I tried to feed her prekilled today. I held the mouse by the base of the tail and wiggled it some to add some movement, but she just looked at me like " what the hell is this?!" so she came closer I thought she was coming for the mouse but she went up past it and started trying to climb up my arm to get out! So should I keep attempting to feed prekilled or just go back to the live that I know she wants?

[pythontricker]

prekilled all the way

[catzeye21138]

If you feel like live is the best option, go for it. Many people have been using live with no problems, same with pre-killed.

[pythontricker]

just try to wiggle the "prekilled" mouse around to simulate life.

[Tat&Tu]

If I stay pre-K how should i go about it, I mean should I just starve her till she eats it? how long should I wait? The other snake is eating them fine but her she is picky picky I think I spoiled her on live ones.....

[Tat&Tu]

I did wiggle it, she just slide up like she was going for it then tricked me and climbed up my arm. I usually feed every ten days cuz that is when they start acting hungry, and she acted hungry like normal but she tooted her nose up in th air at the pre-k one. Any other methods I can use?

[Adam_Wysocki]

I've been feeding live prey to HUNDREDS of ball pythons week in and week out for YEARS with no problems ... if that's what your snake prefers and you are responsible about it, there is nothing wrong with feeding live. Not every snake will eat pre-killed food.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[Tat&Tu]

Maybe I have one that won't Thanks for the advice

[WingedWolfPsion]

Get a pair of tongs, it's much safer for your fingers. <G> Plus, then she won't smell the human scent there with the prey.

Make sure the prey animal is warm, and be patient. If she ate f/t once, she'll eat it again. Pre-killed should be easier.

[SatanicIntention]

Either feed live or feed f/t.. Snakes are very able to take down their prey when live if it is correctly sized.