The mice need to be alive because the snake is attracted to the movement. snakes are deaf, but they can sense movement(vibrations in the air) with their tongues and their eyes and they can feel the warmth of a live mammal. we had ball pythons for years. they are surprisingly good pets, and if handled well and often they are very interesting. mine went to pre-schools and bookstores for visits and even spent a few years in highschool. our remaining snake lives with my son and is about 24 yrs old.