Whole Prey Carnivores
Carnivorous reptiles eat whole prey items — mice, rats, chicks, fish, sometimes invertebrates. This includes all true snakes, monitor lizards, tegus (semi-carnivorous), and a few specialty lizard species. Whole prey diets are nutritionally complete because the prey item itself contains all the necessary calcium (in bones), vitamins (in organs), and protein (in muscle) the reptile needs. This simplifies supplementation compared to insectivorous or herbivorous species — you don't usually dust whole prey with calcium powder.
Feeding frequency for carnivorous reptiles is slower than mammal pets. A juvenile ball python eats every 7-10 days. An adult ball python eats every 10-14 days. Large adult constrictors may eat every 2-3 weeks. This isn't a problem — reptile metabolism is slow and they evolved to handle infrequent large meals. The most common mistake new keepers make is overfeeding, which leads to obesity, regurgitation, and shortened lifespans.
Prey size matters more than prey type. The rule of thumb: prey should be no wider than the thickest part of the snake's body. Too-small prey leaves the snake hungry and prone to striking at the wrong things. Too-large prey causes regurgitation, which is a serious stress event for snakes. Match prey size to your specific animal, not to feeding chart averages.
Frozen-thawed prey is the standard. Live feeding poses serious injury risks — a defensive mouse or rat can bite and injure the snake during a defensive response. Frozen-thawed is safer, more humane, and easier to manage. Some snakes initially refuse frozen-thawed prey, but most can be transitioned with patience and proper warming technique. Use frozen-thawed unless you have a documented reason to use live (some specialty species or feeding strikes).