switching from live to frozen mice

[Pookie]

Ok before i get yelled at for using live food... the pet store where i bought most of my snakes from used live food so i just continued to do the same. And although i haven't had a problem or any injuries i've decided to do the smart/safe thing and switch to prekilled. But i honestly have no idea how to do this? I have 3 mice sitting in my freezer, one for each snake, (cal king, BP and BRB) and i know i have to thaw them in warm watter but what if they don't eat it? I could use all the suggestions i can get!

[fateamber]

You could get some tong things and use them to make the mice seem as alive as possible, but don't hold them above the snakes head or you will scare the snake

[mikemcguire]

well of course thaw them out, if need be give them a little heat to get the snakes attention. what i usually do is get some tongs and hold the mouse by the tail (Dont be ballsy, use tongs) You may havve to wiggle it in front of them but thats the easiest way. If they dont eat, you can put them in a feeding case with the warm mouse. This could take an hour or if need be you can leave it in over night, In my experience, if they dont take the f/t on the first week, they will work up an appitite and eventually learn what it is.

Good luck, and yes, smart decision.

Mike

[fateamber]

I don't know what works best but i grab the mouse on the back of its neck with the tongs so it dosn't scare them (or him cos my corn snake needs no help eating her food :) )

[Pookie]

I've been doing some looking online, mostly at the bigappleherp website. What size tongs should i get? 40 inch?

[Pookie]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I fed 2 out of the 3 snakes last night and all went well! I'm so excited! Now i just need to try the last snake tonight! And nevermind about the tongs, i found some kitchen tongs that worked great...i'll just have to make sure no one cooks with them! ;)

[TheRedDragon]

Good for you for getting most of your snakes to eat f/t prey! :) Let us know how it goes with the third!

[Pookie]

It went well! She didn't take it right away but after i left it in her tank and walked away...it was gone within an hour! :)

[Darlene]

Wonderful news !! 3 for 3 !! Congrats !!

[Batdad]

Congrats this is good stuff:D

[Lisa]

Alot of snakes will switch to dead no problem, first thing to do is try it. if you don't succeed try again.