how safe is LIVE

[Elvyra's Keeper]

Elvyra, live? Why do you guys restrain the rats or mice if feeding live at all?

I hold it so it doesn't touch the substrate, I'm paranoid about her eating some of it. Also, I don't want to risk it biting her. Is it bad to do? It only take a couple seconds.

[Noek]

I've not had to feed live yet and I would only switch if I ran into a feeding issue. f/t is working very well for my girl and boy.

[rabernet]

Argentra, restraining it has the mouse already fighting before it's even been hit by your snake - which I would think would be far more dangerous for your snake. When I drop live prey in the enclosure, it's clueless of impending danger. I'm feeding ball pythons from 200 grams all the way up to 3000 grams. They're all very efficient and swift hunters. The smallest ball I've ever had was 70 grams, eating live hoppers - no problems.

Elvyra, place newpaper down on top of the substrate. And even then, a small piece of aspen isn't going to hurt your snake - they ingest leaves and twigs in the wild, and their stomach acids are designed to digest fur, hair and bones - a little substrate won't be an issue.

[rabernet]

Oh and Elvyra - holding with your hand is begging for a food response strike that may miss it's target and get your hand instead.

[Elvyra's Keeper]

I use cypress, is it still ok?

[rabernet]

I've not had to feed live yet and I would only switch if I ran into a feeding issue. f/t is working very well for my girl and boy.

That's awesome! Each keeper should feed what works best for them!

[rabernet]

Elvyra, just lay down some newspaper over the cypress on feeding day - it should be fine.

[Elvyra's Keeper]

ok, tomorrow, i'll try just putting it in the cage, and see how that goes

[Snakes_in_a_shed]

so do you think i should try live or try something b4 i have tried just leaveing it in but that dosnt work at all

and ive done the litte rat dance to

[Noek]

Elvyra, just lay down some newspaper over the cypress on feeding day - it should be fine.

I had the same concerns when I used aspen.This is exactly what I did with success.