Bites are no fun, and if your scared of the snake, that cannot be much fun either... Please don't take this post the wrong way (I am having a beer with you right now), but feed properly live or frozen, protect your snake. This means if he eats live, then as suggested treat the food item fairly, make sure your snake is protected and safe. A scared rat or mouse can do damage, freak your snake out, and cause other feeding and husbandry issues.

We feed frozen for many reasons... we feel it is healthier, and safer for the snake. It is easier to store food items and cheaper. It allows my six year old to maintain his interest in nature (not scare him, but help him understand - which I do not believe may kids get to do enough these days) and his pets.

We feed with a pair of $5 long tweezers, snake thankfully eats very readily with no delay, and my boy feed him/her for the first time last evening.

Sorry for the long post but this Stone IPA is tasty.