i'm kind of surprised that they don't want to do FT, it's so much more convenient and simple!! FT is no muss, no fuss, you don't have to kill the mouse before feeding, you have less worry about parasites, It is safer than a live mouse possibly attacking the snake, and you are not constantly running to the pet store. It is simple to buy a 6 month or year's supply.
And it costs less, too! I buy from one of the big suppliers at a show. it's is cheaper than the tiny box of a few Arctic Mice fuzzies the local pet store has. There is the problem that I've occasionally brought home another snake (or the person with me did!) Soooo tempting when they are right in front of you.
I sing the praises of FT to people when they ask about my snakes.. whoever figured it out was a genius!!
It may be that they like to watch him attack and kill the mouse? A zoo keeper with mammals might call it 'enrichment' to feed live, but I have no idea if snakes can get bored..
What matters is that they've had Snakey for 16 years, and he's done well, and they cared enough to get him help from a vet when he got the tumor.
actually, has this been posted to the 'how old is your oldest snake' thread? he's up there in years.