Start feeding rats???

[BallPython999]

I always feed my bp mice which are usually pretty small even though they are adult mice. I feed her once a week. She eats them fine, she kills them fast and then just swallows them. I was wondering when could I start to feed her either something bigger(like a rat), or should I feed her 2 mice a week instead of one. She is 3 feet long at 3 years old. It looks to me like I could feed her something bigger but I want some suggestions first!! SO if anyone could get back to me on this it would be greatly appreciated!! Thanx, -Sarah-:D

[sapphire_moon]

Get her on rats ASAP! She should be able to take a small rat, the problem will be switching her, try a f/t rat, make sure it is thawed all the way, and make sure it is HOT.

if she doesn't take f/t just come back here for some more tips. lol

[daver676]

My bp is about...oh...11 months old and just under 3 feet now, and her last meal was a 150 gram rat (I guess they are considered medium rats). Feed the snake one rat per week that is as big, or a little bigger then the snake at it's thickest point. Try a f/t rat FIRST, not a live one. Make every effort at f/t first, because trying to switch from live to f/t can be a pain in the ***. I should know. I'm going through that right now. Argh!

[Tim_Cranwill]

1 adult mouse per week for a 3 year old BP?!?!?!? That's what I would feed a hatchling (until it was 2 months old)!

Get it on F/T rats... SOON!

A couple articles that you SHOULD read...

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/faq7.html
http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/faq9.html

Read those... for the sake of your snake...

[BallPython999]

Alright thanx you guys when I feed her on saturday I will let you know how it goes!

[BallPython999]

I decided to start feeding her 2 mice a week. She won't eat frozen and I don't want to take a chance with giving her a live rat that could injure her. She has been getting so much bigger since then. She's getting really fat(in a good, healthy way kinda fat) and a little longer than she was before! Last week I fed her a big, fat, pregnant mouse and just(once again)a small adult mouse. She's eating quite well for a ball python, tonight I'm feeding her another and then one on Saturday, that's how her eating schedule goes for now and it's working out perfect. Later on I will start to feed her live rats, when she's grown and big enough, then maybe something bigger when fully grown. I'm just glad to see that she's a healthy, non-finicky eater! I will get back to you guys when she eats her first live rat! Bye for now and thanx again! -Sarah-

[sapphire_moon]

shes eating well because she's hungry. Just keep trying to giver her f/t rats or small (eyes still closed) small rat.

try f/t rat

brained
scented (let thaw in soiled mouse bedding or thaw with a f/t mouse)
feed mouse then while still in feeding mode feed a small rat of same size/color or place in mouth to follow mouse.

leave f/t rat overnight

place snake and f/t rat in bag

dip head in HOT water
dip head in chicken broth


heat up water in microwave for about 5 minutes.

place frozen rat (in a baggie) in the water
wait until you can squeeze the rat and not feel any coldness, it might even feel REALLY hot to you.
by the time you get the rat (in the baggie) over to the snake, and take the rat out of the bag (with tongs) it should still be hot, but not hot enough to burn.

If that don't work, while still really hot, dip the head in the still steaming (should be) hot water, then offer the rat with the dripping wet head. This worked for my female BP.

Skip 4wks of feedings. Then offer, no your bp will not starve, my male just ate after 9 months and I have heard of bp's going more than 1yr without eating.

There are other methods to help make the switch. But I can't remember them.

[daver676]

I feed my picky bp live rats. I don't find them any more violent then mice. The problem is when they decide to get violet, they can do worse damage to the snake. I NEVER let the rat roam free in the enclosure. I hold it by the tail (usually with tongs) in front of the snake. As soon as the snake grabs and coils, I grab a pencil and put it in the rat's mouth so it bites the pencil (if it tries to bite at all) and another pencil to control any kicking and keep the back claws away from the snake. It's a very hands on process, but it's the safest way (I can think of) to feed a snake a live rat.

[sapphire_moon]

Thats why I said a small rat, as in under 2wks old, eyes still closed. They are harmless that way.

[BallPython999]

Well are they more nutritional than a mouse would be or something? Because otherwise I don't see why I would have to feed her a rat pup instead of 2 mice a week? Not being nasty or anything just want some more info and I thank you for helping me out on this! -Sarah-
P.S.- She will NOT eat f/t mice or anything else. She's basically a born killer and will NOT eat anything dead, trust me, that's why I only feed her live!

[marisa]

Well the reason they suggest getting rats is because soon your snake will be large enough that it needs something bigger than adult mice. The sooner she will take rats, the better and easier it will be to make the switch.

She doesn't WANT to kill. You are placing way to much thought and emotion on to an animal that basically eats what it is accustomed too. Live is what she is used to so she will hold out for that. You CAN eventually switch almost ALL snakes to whatever you want them to eat. Born killers has nothing to do with it.

Marisa

[blazinreps]

my bps wouldent eat rats at first then they finnaly did i rubbed it in mouse beding and they woudlent do it waited a few days more and they got hungry enough to eat it. never feed ur snake a live rat it is very dangerous even if u are watchin it only takes a second for a mistake to happin and i belive rats have a better nutrional value then mice. just keep tryin and dont give up.

[sapphire_moon]

I think rats have more nutritional value. My bp went from 2ft and in about 5 months was 3-3.5 ft on a once a week feeding schedule.

Yes she WILL take rats, you just have to work on it, And not cave in to giving her mice.

Besides, it will get quite expensive feeding her 8 adult mice a week when she is full grown.

[BallPython999]

LOL OK thanx all you guys.....so you do you think it would be safe to feed her a live rat now? Even as Marisa said that you can switch from live to f/t, it just doesn't work, I've been trying so I am just asking about feeding her a live rat. Will it be safe? I just don't want her to get badly injured! But she's quite huge right now and I think she'll probably be able to handle it. Just like most snakes she grabs her prey by the head. She usually does it by clamping the mouth shut too...so maybe she would do that with a rat. Well, thanx for getting back to me so much and just tell me if it would be a good idea to feed her a LIVE RAT. -Sarah-

P.S.-If anyone wants to see the size of my ball, just let me know your e-amil so I can send it to you, it's easier for me to send in e-mail form!

[Tim_Cranwill]

Of course f/t is the preferred way to go but.....

Your snake "should" be fine eating a live rat. You MUST be there to watch and step in if anything goes wrong though. That may mean putting the blunt end of a pen or something in the rat’s mouth if the snake doesn't get a good hold of it. That may mean getting a bite from either party. YOU have to be ready if something goes wrong. It’s YOUR responsibility.

You can try this....

If your snake shows immediate interest in the live rat, quickly remove it and "whack" it. Then see if it will take the fresh killed or stunned rat. A few sessions like that and you might be on your way to an f/t rat feeder. :)

[BallPython999]

OK thanx that's a good idea...totally forgot about that one!