switching over

[Lagoon]

I wanted to know what are some good ways on being able to switch a 2 foot ball python from eating mice to eating rats.

also my python had a perfect shed on friday night and i havent feed it in about 3 weeks because it ate 1 week before it went into shed and while in the shedding stage i was told not to feed it. i tried to feed it yesturday what it usually eats (2 p/k adult mice) and it didnt eat. should i try feeding it again next monday and try to avoid stressing it out or should i try feeding it tomorrow. :confused: :(

[malaysianbloods]

Try again next monday and there are lots of whys to switch over from mice to rats. 1 you could feed a tiny mouse to get the feeding response going then try a rat. 2 you could just try to offer it a rat and see if it takes it right away. 3 yoiu could try to scent the rat like a mouse and those are only a few whys of switching over a snake from mice to rats.

[Lagoon]

ok but wouldnt it starve. and alsoto scent a rat like a mouce all i have to do is rub the mice on top of the rat.
thanks again.

[marisa]

Starve? Balls can go a LONG time without eating before they starve. Even brand new babies can go a month. Adults can go a year+ without food.

Simply refuse to feed mice ever again and offer FK and Ft rats. It should eventually take. And yes you can scent that way. Thawing a rat in dirty mouse bedding can also work.

Marisa

[Derrick]

I've only had to switch 2 so far and both wen with out a hitch. I always thawed thier mice out with the rats I was feeding other snakes in hot water. I dont know if that helped or I was just lucky. I have one more to switch in a month so we'll see then.