Need to switch to rats!!!

[jjnnbns]

Well, after getting my male JCP to take a small rat after two mice about a month ago, I thought that I was in the clear... not so. Now he not only seems to need to eat more, but will NOT have anything to do with a rat. He is barely over 3 feet and after taking 5 adult mice is still cruising around! Should I give hime more mice still or is should that be fine?

I really don't know if I wanna offer rats or nothing, as I like how he is finally growing and eating. The last time that I tried to hold off unless rats were taken he didn't eat for quite a while!

[Derrick]

it was 2 months with no food before one of mine ate a rat. now shes a savage

[Yasser]

I would highly suggest you get it switched over to rats no matter what it takes. Feeding them mice is like handing out crack....with every one eaten, the addiction gets stronger and stronger.
If you'd like a couple of ideas to try to get it switched to rats, take a look at our site at:

www.spitfirereptiles.com (http://www.spitfirereptiles.com)

Go to the "Spitfire Question Corner" on the main page and take a look at the bottom post. This cover the details of how we have gotten nearly all of our 30+ carpets to switch over.
If you have any further questions, feel free to email me.

-Yasser

[Jeff_Favelle]

I've never had a problem switching any Carpet, and I've gone through hundreds. They can all be switched, as far as I can see. Some easier than others.

Steps to take (if needed):

1) The thing eats live mice
2) The thing eats dead mice
3) The thing eats dead mice that are rat-scented
4) The thing eats a SMALL (mouse-sized) live rat that was living with mice
5) The thing eats a dead rat that's scented with mice
6) Eating F/T rats no probs

Some steps needed to be repeated more than others, some steps can be skipped. Depends on the snake, and depends on the patience/ability of the keeper.

Best of luck bro! :D

[jjnnbns]

I picked up a few smaller live rats and a couple of live mice and they have been together for about an hour or two now. I am planning on feeding a mouse with the smell of the rats first and then immediately after putting in one of the rats with the mouse scent.

My carpet has always eaten f/t, should I kill the mouse and then feed the rat live? or both live? or both dead?

Right now I am planning on both live so that he finds them as similar as possible, I am just worried that they could harm him, so I will be watching closely...

[Jeff_Favelle]

Don't start on step 1 if your snake is already at step 2!! LOL! FORWARD progress. Not re-gress.

[Yasser]

Jefff, you've had hundreds of adult carpets?
Or are you speaking of switching younger ones?
I find it far more difficult at times to switch older more mature mouse fed carpets. Juvies aren't addicted to them enough yet!
:devil:

-Yasser

[Jeff_Favelle]

Gone through a few dozen older adults and they all switched eventually. The hardest one to switch was a female so I just bred her with a male and after laying eggs, she ate a rat 2 days later and never looked back. I find that Carpets can get reeeeaaaal skinny with no adverse effects, so switching them just takes patience.

[jjnnbns]

I stunned a couple of mice and got each carpet to eat one after quite a bit of hesitation, but the rat was a definite no go, I let it stay all night (dead) and didnt get to it to remove it til after work tonight, how long can a dead rat/mouse sit out before it is bad?

I hate to go through a rat/week trying to switch them over if they won't take it and I end up throwing it away... should I only offer every other week would you recommend?