additionally
with snakes eating rather infrequently, that moment of fun has to go a long way
with the lion . . . well, how much running does he get to do after the zebra? it just doesn't seem that much fun if that damn zebra is trapped to begin with and you can't do that whole strategic hunting thing with your pride and all that
but I do think that if you're keeping your snakes in a rack system, truly, that moment of fun when they get to look eye to eye with that rat and go "it's you or me, baby" and "let's get that sucker quick, before he bites me" - if that's the only fun they ever get, then you should most definitely feed your snake live rodents
I am not one of those unreasonable folk who believe you should deprive your poor captives of their once a week chance to have some fun and a nice adrenalin rush