Ball pythons don't actually eat these kinds of mice in the wild. The ones they eat smell very different. They're also decently timid. If it hadn't been fed live prey that smelled like this mouse before, there's a very real possibility the snake doesn't recognize it as food
This is true, but most pet snakes actually eat mice that are already dead. In fact its not reccomend to give certain species live mice as it can be difficult for them to eat.
That being said some people feed their snakes live mice and the snake is absolutely fine for it.
So there's a few things to keep in mind:
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-In the wild, both the prey and the predator have the option of attempting escape if need be. This is NOT the case in captivity. Admittedly, some may not care if the prey can't escape (I don't personally agree with that since it seems particularly emotionally stressful and unnecessarily cruel to leave an animal in a situation like that for an extended period of time), but the predator NEEDS to be able to have the option to get away from it's prey.
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The reason behind this is because the prey can and often will become aggressive, or harmful just in the course of being in the enclosure. They can and have caused serious harm to snakes in the past.
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Ball pythons, as I said, are generally very timid. They are also very picky eaters. As in this post's example, they often will not strike at prey even when it's right in front of them, if the conditions are not more or less perfect. This is a notoriously frustrating trait of theirs in the reptile community.
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Perfect conditions usually vary for each snake, but often require things like:
-correct temperature (both of the prey item and of the enclosure itself)
-correct humidity (both of the prey item and the enclosure. Many ball pythons will not strike at prey if it's wet)
-correct lighting (ball pythons are nocturnal, as are their prey, and many will not feed during the day)
-Scent (if the prey does not smell like something they consider prey, they often will not strike)
-minimal activity before, during, and after feedings. They don't enjoy being handled or having a lot of things going on around them during feedings, and DEFINITELY not after
They also usually will not eat if they're close to shedding, and some will not eat at certain times of the year (winter fasting, and some males fast during breeding times).
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Now, a live rat/mouse/etc should NEVER be placed in the terrarium and left unsupervised, for the very reason of potential harm to the snake. Wounds can be deadly. This can create the complication of requiring you to monitor the snake the entire time, which requires a light source, and may stress the snake out or confuse them, having someone standing there staring at them with a light on. You CAN leave and come back to check periodically, but it's not really recommended
Ball pythons and most snakes are extremely vulnerable when they're feeding, which is part of what makes ball pythons in particular so picky. And why they often won't eat when they're stressed or unsure. It's usually not worth the risk. Their mouths are their first, last, and only line of defence against threats, and once it's full it's hard for them to reverse the process. They CAN regurgitate their prey (as being full also slows them down), but this is almost always a sign that something is quite wrong and stressing the snake out.
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Another thing to keep in mind:
Captive snakes are, statistically, weaker than their wild counterparts. Captive rats and mice may also be, so maybe it balances out. However, given they are constrictors, they rely entirely on their ability to squeeze their prey. if your snake has only had F/T rats, suddenly introducing it to live feedings can be hard on the snake as it's suddenly having to squeeze harder than it's used to against suddenly struggling prey
I'm not saying people need to stop doing live feedings, btw. I'm just addressing some of the things people may not be aware of about captive live feedings.
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F/T feedings also share some of these issues, and have issues of their own-- although it's the route I still prefer
@xvarnah is clearly very well informed on this issue.
So while, yes, wild snakes eat live prey, and some snake owners feed their snakes live prey with no issues, there are actually many reasons not to do so. Especially with ball pythons.
So both guests are oversimplifying a complex issue.
Comments
That being said some people feed their snakes live mice and the snake is absolutely fine for it.
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-In the wild, both the prey and the predator have the option of attempting escape if need be. This is NOT the case in captivity. Admittedly, some may not care if the prey can't escape (I don't personally agree with that since it seems particularly emotionally stressful and unnecessarily cruel to leave an animal in a situation like that for an extended period of time), but the predator NEEDS to be able to have the option to get away from it's prey.
'
The reason behind this is because the prey can and often will become aggressive, or harmful just in the course of being in the enclosure. They can and have caused serious harm to snakes in the past.
'
'
Perfect conditions usually vary for each snake, but often require things like:
-correct temperature (both of the prey item and of the enclosure itself)
-correct humidity (both of the prey item and the enclosure. Many ball pythons will not strike at prey if it's wet)
-correct lighting (ball pythons are nocturnal, as are their prey, and many will not feed during the day)
-Scent (if the prey does not smell like something they consider prey, they often will not strike)
-minimal activity before, during, and after feedings. They don't enjoy being handled or having a lot of things going on around them during feedings, and DEFINITELY not after
'
Now, a live rat/mouse/etc should NEVER be placed in the terrarium and left unsupervised, for the very reason of potential harm to the snake. Wounds can be deadly. This can create the complication of requiring you to monitor the snake the entire time, which requires a light source, and may stress the snake out or confuse them, having someone standing there staring at them with a light on. You CAN leave and come back to check periodically, but it's not really recommended
'
Another thing to keep in mind:
Captive snakes are, statistically, weaker than their wild counterparts. Captive rats and mice may also be, so maybe it balances out. However, given they are constrictors, they rely entirely on their ability to squeeze their prey. if your snake has only had F/T rats, suddenly introducing it to live feedings can be hard on the snake as it's suddenly having to squeeze harder than it's used to against suddenly struggling prey
'
F/T feedings also share some of these issues, and have issues of their own-- although it's the route I still prefer
So while, yes, wild snakes eat live prey, and some snake owners feed their snakes live prey with no issues, there are actually many reasons not to do so. Especially with ball pythons.
So both guests are oversimplifying a complex issue.