Advice needed: Dumerils-to buy or not?

[KWenger]

Well, you seem to be the very first person who has ever advised me that feeding live is a requirement for successful snake keeping. I've been in contact with many long time breeders of BPs, corns and various types of boas and most say they do not feed live and advise against it. I've got 3 or 4 books on keeping boa constrictors, and all say feeding live prey is generally a bad idea. My several Ball Python books say the same...Why am I so opposed to it? Personally I find it rather cruel and disgusting to feed a live rodent to a snake. Just a personal thing with me. Keep in mind I raised a red tail boa from a baby to something over 20 lbs over a number of years.....this was quite a few years ago......and I ALWAYS fed it live prey.....mice and later larger and larger rats. At the time I didn't know about the availability of f/t. Since I've begun keeping snakes again I find that I like the convenience of f/t......and I don't have to dread putting the cute mouse or rat in the viv with the snake. Perhaps I am just too soft hearted? Probably.