Any advice on how to switch a BP to eating f/t

[Mowgliozzy]

My almost 2 month old babies refuse to eat f/t rats. I have 3 new babies, 2 of them ate live rat fuzzies but my feisty piebald that won’t stop attacking everyone doesn’t eat anything at all haha she just bites the rats the same way she bites me and let’s go. I’m going to try offering her rat pinkies tonight. But anyway my Mexican black and my other adult ball python never had an issue eating frozen. I’ve had them for almost 5 years and I’ve never once had them reject a meal. Everytime they don’t eat I find myself with a pet rat which im not too happy about. (I’m gunna give it to my friend who feeds live to offer to his snake) I’m not used to feeding live so I’d like to switch them over ASAP. Any tips on how to do that?

[DJC Reptiles]

Try warming up the rats to the point that they are hot using hot water. This will make them irresistible to the snake. But don't boil them, just place them in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes until they are hot to the touch. Then dry them off with a paper towel and give them to your snake as fast as you can. Most snakes will not bite after they have been picked up, so try to be assertive and pick up the snake right away to let it know it is not feeding time. Additionally you can use a roll of paper towels, or a snake hook to calm the snake down.

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

[Mowgliozzy]

I’ll try that thanks! I hold her quite often to try to get her used to being held. But she bites regardless. She bites what’s in front of her and she never ever latches on. It’s like she’s scared and trying to defend her self. When I open her lid she’ll strike, if I’m holding her she’ll strike at my other hand if it’s in front of her. Maybe she just needs time to adjust to her new home :yes:

[DJC Reptiles]

I would recommend not bothering her for about a solid 1-2 weeks, believe me I know how hard this is. This will help her become comfortable with her environment, then the handling process can begin. Additionally make sure her temps and humidity are right, this could make her more prone to biting if she's stress.


Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

[Mowgliozzy]

Right after she actually eats I’m doing that! I won’t handle her or anything I’ll just take bother her when it’s time to feed and then I’ll leave her alone to adjust. I’m a little scared cus the Breeder I bought her from said she ate the day before I bought her, but she never pooped. So I really don’t know how long it’s been since she’s eaten. I’m not too worried because she weighs fine and she’s chunkier than the other ones. But temps and humidity are perfect!

[DJC Reptiles]

Awesome! I would definitely check to see if she leaves any waste in the nest couple of days, it is slightly worrying. Please contact me in about 5-6 days if you still do not see any waste product.

[Mowgliozzy]

Will do. I personally think she didn’t actually eat the day before like he said. He just didn’t want to tell me she’s a picky eater just in case I would change my mind. I’m hoping that’s the case. (By the way it’s already been like 2 weeks since I got her, and no waste.)

[DJC Reptiles]

Has she eaten at all in that time period? There is a condition that would both not cause her to eat and not produce waste, which can be pretty worrying. Please get back to me today after you try to feed her.

[Mowgliozzy]

She hasn’t eaten at all. I will update you thanks!!!

[EL Ziggy]

It sounds like your snake is still acclimating to it's new environment. I agree with DJC. Make sure your temps are dialed in and give her time. Try offering food every 10-14 days until she eats. I also wouldn't handle the animal until it's eaten 2-3 times consecutively except for cage maintenance. Hopefully she'll get on track soon.

[dannybgoode]

My P regius proved to be a bit fussy. I'm the end I found just leaving a mouse just outside her favourite hide did the trick. Popped it in by the entrance - didn't even try and get her attention or anything - just left it there and it was give in the morning.

She seems quite happy with this arrangement :)

[TRD]

She seems quite happy with this arrangement :)

I would be happy to find a pizza on my doormat every day as well :D

[jjhill001]

When in doubt starve them out. They'll eat eventually. Start by offering the first one 2 weeks after the last feed. If you wait long enough they'll get hungry. I would couple this with danny's trick, if I'm a rush and don't have time to deal with shaking and striking and all that BS I'll just set the mouse in the cage and leave. With mine I'll put it on a decor item or something to let them find it themselves but doorway to the hide works as well for a more direct method.

[Mowgliozzy]

So the no one had any live pinky rats. But they will have it tomorrow!
First time I tried feeding all of them f/t I tried leaving the in the tub with them. None of them took it. It seems for now they only want live but I’d never leave a live mouse in the tub. I’ll update tomorrow!!

[Mowgliozzy]

Hey I wouldn’t mind a pizza at my door either. But apparently my snakes don’t like being spoiled :rolleyes:

[DJC Reptiles]

Hello Mowgliozzy,

If you have tried to feed the snake every single day of the two weeks I would wait at least 5-7 days before trying again. I know this can be worrying, especially with baby snakes, but the snakes need time to accumulate to their environment without any disturbances. I agree with the past mentions of how to handle this problem. Leave the snake completely alone for about 5 days the. You can then try putting in dead mice into the same cage as her, without moving the snake. At this point she may want to eat, as long as you don't disturb her, you can continue to try again after this.

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

[dannybgoode]

Light output; it is VITAL to the D3/Ca/Mg cycles and circadian rythems that all animals have a period of total darkness. By total darkness we refer to a level of light equal to or less than the reflected by the moon. Generally this is around 4lux. The Deep Heat Projector produces true Infra-Red at below 4 lux. As such it is very safe to use 24/7 and should be. Day/night stats help here of course.

Very good point - the last thing you want is a snake associating feeding with stress and by constantly waggling food in its face this may be what happens.

Snakes can last a very long time without food. Hydration is much more important. I know a breeder who had a newly born Japanese rat snake (Elaphe climacophora) not take its first meal for nearly 6 months! Still got there in the end.

[Mowgliozzy]

I actually haven’t tried every day. I got a f/t and I tried 4 days after I got her, left it in the cage. The day after that I tried again. About 5 days later got some live rat fuzzys. She seemed scared of it, striked at it a few times and the balled up. Now I’m hear haven’t tried since. Today hopefully they have the rat pinky’s. I keep a feeding chart and 10/26 was the last time I attempted to feed her. Hopefully this time it’s works.

[Mowgliozzy]

Also should note that I don’t handle her to much. It’s just that she’s tipped her water bowl one to many times so I had to take her out and clean up change everything. (I got new bowls)

[Mowgliozzy]

She ate today!! :)

[DJC Reptiles]

Awesome! I still wouldn't recommend holding her for about a week, just monitor her to make sure she produces waste, and you will be good to go!

[dannybgoode]

Congratulations - always a relief when they finally feed.

Personally I wouldn't handle at all - except when strictly necessary - I'm a bit militant in this respect though. Don't handle my snakes much at all. Just sit back and enjoy observing them be snakes :)

[Mowgliozzy]

Oh yeah I’m leaving her alone :)