Bud Finally Takes F/T!

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-21-13, 09:44 PM

My 7 year old ball python, Bud, who has been a live feeder his whole life, just took his first f/t rat! Well, the first that he's taken by itself. I've been trying to switch him for the past year (I've given in a little too easily most of the time, but I held off this time). Before, he didn't show the slightest interest (not even a tongue flick) in the rat, even if I heated it super hot. I tried waving it in front of his face and leaving it in his enclosure. All to no avail. So, I began giving him smaller live rats or mice, and feeding f/t behind them. He started shedding an hour or so again, so I figured this was the perfect time to try the f/t again. He last ate on August 21.

I got him a small rat, since I figured he would be more likely to accept a smaller prey item. So, I will feed him the other small rat in a few days, and I will try a medium rat next week. I let it thaw out in the room while he shed, so the smell would entice him, and finished thawing it out with hot tap water when he was done. At first I didn't think he would take it, because he was checking it out but showing no sign of striking. He ignored it if I just held in front of him, gave a slight bit more attention when I waggled it, but got really interested when I moved it through the air to make him chase it. After a few minutes of this, he finally struck! I am so relieved. If he takes the next one as easily, all I'll have to do from now on is thaw him a rat! I'll get him onto the same feeding schedule as Cloud, so 1) the smell will get him ready and 2) I'm less likely to get bit by Cloud if I take him out the same day/so I don't have to wait another day to take him out. It will also just make planning easier. The next step is to see if he will take the rat with me just leaving it in his enclosure, like Cloud does. I'm just so happy he finally switched!

**EL Ziggy** · 09-21-13, 09:48 PM

Congrats bsg. I hope its smooth sailing from now on with the f/t feedings.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-22-13, 12:30 PM

Thanks! I hope so, as well. If he takes f/t, it will be a lot easier feeding him. lol

sweatshirt · 09-22-13, 12:47 PM

Congrats! Always feels good when things go your way unexpectedly

thinkbig317 · 09-22-13, 01:41 PM

Awesome news! Congrats!

guyabano · 09-28-13, 04:13 AM

Congratulations!

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-28-13, 10:43 AM

Well, this week's feeding has resulted in some disappointment. I thawed out Cloud and Bud's rats on top of Cloud's cage overnight on Thursday, like I usually do. Cloud took his as soon as I stuck it in the cage, without waiting for me to set it down. I think it's about time to step up his prey size, as he started crawling around again that same night. At some point I'll order some online, since I've still been unable to find any local rabbit breeders. One of the freezers will need to be cleared out, though. So, anyways. I went to go feed Bud, and I waved it in front of his face trying to get him to take it. He ignored it and crawled into one of his hides. I tried waving it in front of the entrance for several minutes, but he didn't make a move for it. So, I left it in his enclosure while I went to school, which was about 4 hours. I came back, and he was crawling all over his cage, but still hadn't eaten the rat. I tried waving it around him again, but he just ran away from it. *sigh* So, the battle isn't over yet. I'll try again next Thursday.