Live vs. F/T question

[Strutter769]

So, I have a "theory" that other than the well known benefits, I feel that feeding F/T helps to keep a snake from becoming aggressive. I think that having to stalk or even having to strike prey may cause a snake to potentially be a bit more aggressive than F/T. Lucy, (BCI) whom I've had since a baby in '96 will often literally rest her hear on a prey item for several hours before calmly opening her mouth to dine. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Happy Herping!

Roy

[Gungirl]

This is a very touchy subject here.. feeding live vs f/t. If you do a search on the subject you will see many threads stating peoples thoughts and opinions.

[infernalis]

I have some snakes that will still strike, coil and constrict F/t and I have snakes that will swallow a live pink/hopper whole without even killing it first.

seems odd, so I really cannot give a reason why.

[youngster]

Yeah I agree with Wayne, it just depends on the snake. 2 of my snakes (juvie and an adult) slowly swallow f/t without trying to strike/constrict. But 1 strikes and constricts.

[UwabamiReptiles]

I used to have a python that was an aggressive feeder to say the least. Would eat f/t or live like there was no tomorrow. Was hands down the meanest snake I've ever had. Now I have snakes that will strike and constrict f/t, just eat f/t off the floor of their cage, or eat live and not one of them is aggressive in any way, shape, or form. So I personally think it varies with each individual. From my own experiences, I don't think weather a snake eats live or f/t has an impact on their disposition.

[alessia55]

One of my ball pythons will only eat live no matter what (been trying to switch him over to f/t for over 2 years now to no avail), and the other eats f/t with no problem. Both strike and coil, but I wouldn't say either are "aggressive feeders" (though I'll admit I'm not sure what that term is even supposed to imply). The one that feeds on f/t wants me to put the prey right in front of his face and he'll take it and coil. The one that only feeds live is a scaredy cat, so if the prey approaches him, he retreats. He waits until the prey is in a corner and not moving and very slowly approaches and then strikes and coils. As I'm sure everyone here will tell you, every snake is an individual and reacts to feeding time differently. I don't know if feeding f/t will really make a difference in aggression in a snake or not... but if that appears to be the case, great!

[infernalis]

My BP is a beast, Kane will jump violently at his prey, in fact handling him has to be done right, or it will get you nailed.

We have many rats, the scent of rat is in the air, so he seems to home in on heat from hands reaching in to take him out.

Once out he's just as docile as a royal is known for, but when his belly is on the ground, he's a python 100%

And since I'm not really one of those keepers who has to handle my snakes, I'm just fine with this.

[TeaNinja]

kane sounds like my female dumerils. all 3 of my snakes still strike their f/t but only the female dumerils still full on constricts because she is a beast. she is also the only one out of the 3 that i take out with a hook because she will easily mistake a hand for food lol.

[shaunyboy]

So, I have a "theory" that other than the well known benefits, I feel that feeding F/T helps to keep a snake from becoming aggressive. I think that having to stalk or even having to strike prey may cause a snake to potentially be a bit more aggressive than F/T. Lucy, (BCI) whom I've had since a baby in '96 will often literally rest her hear on a prey item for several hours before calmly opening her mouth to dine. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Happy Herping!

Roy


my carpets strike and are very agressive feeders on frozen thawed

they strike very hard and constrict for different lengths of time depending on which carpet i'm feeding

some constrict and begin eating immediately others will constrict anything from 5 minutes to an hour or sometimes more

when not in feeding mode they are quite placid

although each individual carpet has its own traits all are agressive when it comes to prey

also you cannot go into their tanks for 24 hours or they will strike you with a feeding response

i honestly don't think feeding them live would make them anymore aggressive than they already are

feeding them frozen thawed has not imo calmed their feeding responses in any way

the above is my own findings using a study of carpets into double figures

cheers shaun

[Jenn_06]

out of my 15 14 of my snakes will strike and constrict a F/T rat like it was still alive i have one aggressive boa and BP and they eat F/T. My Super Tiger retic is on live food right now and she is one of the sweetest snakes i have(yes im trying to get her on F/T) I dont think food is what makes a snake aggressive its just how some are.

[UwabamiReptiles]

I forgot to mention I have a few snakes that will even strike and constrict f/t even when I just set it on the floor of their cage. They'll wait a minute then strike and coil like its live prey.

[mykee]

EVERY SINGLE ONE of my 100+ ball pythons strike a f/t rat just as hard as a live rat.

[Snakefood]

my female corn, who has eaten F/T her whole life, strikes VERY aggressively, coils and strangles her already dead prey, every time!! It happens so fat it's more a blur than anything.

my male corn, who was fed live his whole life (3yrs) until I got him, slowly inspects his F/T prey, even stroking his head and neck back and forth over it before gently and loosely coiling around it to put it in the right position to eat it.

my 4 mos old male corn just glides on up to it, opens his mouth and down it goes!!

[millertime89]

My BRB when on pinks would watch it me make it do the zombie dance and then slowly open his mouth and chow down, now that he's on hoppers he strikes and sort of constricts.

[lady_bug87]

all of my snakes strike and coil around f/t my BP strikes so fast and coils so hard he ends up flipping over.

my GTP is a nasty bugger too about 90% of the time she strikes and coils last night she took a pinkie gently, wrapped around it then swallowed but then she was still actively hunting flicking her tail and following me as I was around her tank so we tried to give her a smaller pinkie and that one she absolutely killed

we NEVER feed her double pinks but she took it like a champ so proud of my little piglet


(She is a June hatch and I am aware of the risk of prolapsed cloaca in GTP, she will not be fed for another 10-14 days since her normal feeding is 1 pink every 5-7 days)

[snake man12]

My ball python kashmere is the most docile snake I have ever had and I only recently switched to f/t.

[exwizard]

Ok from what Ive read here, it seems feeding f/t doesnt necessarily calm the snakes' feeding response or agression. I agree with this as well. We only feed live and of our 14 snakes, the '09 macklots are the most agressive eaters as they will not let you toss the rat in the tub. They're always halfway out to get their meal and constricting it before you can get them back in. Coincidently enough they're the tamest of all the snakes we have.

The '10 macklots and the carpets on the other hand take their sweet time in feeding. You have to shut their tubs and leave them alone but eventually they get theirs. Fortunately they get no larger than pups so thats safe enough to do that.