Assistance with switching to F/T?

BrownSugar92 · 03-22-13, 10:56 PM

I wasn't so worried with pups even tiny rats, but now that my ball python is getting so big- I have to get her bigger meals (obviously) and since the rats are getting bigger they put up a better fight. I haven't had any scratches or bites . . . yet, but I know eventually it's bound to happen. Besides I feel much better knowing that if I fed her frozen there's no way she could get bitten and I don't want to wait until she gets hurt to try and switch.

Problem is she's been eating live since she was born (about to be 7 months) and it seems like she ONLY eats rats from the local feed store by my house- they only have live. I've tried warming a frozen thawed rat by soaking it in hot water until its warmed all the way through and the whole hair dryer thing, but she won't take. I've postponed her feeding for an entire three days in hopes it would make her really hungry. Same result though, not even a single strike position. I've even tried to make it dance and run around lol (-_-) Any suggestions??

guyabano · 03-23-13, 02:55 AM

I've heard a little hunger and some exposed brain matter could help. I'm trying to convert my retic to pre-killed and then F/T afterwards.

Terranaut · 03-23-13, 05:40 AM

3 days is nothing. My Royal hasn't eaten since December and is fine. If you can only get live try fresh kill. Kill the prey ,then give it to your snake. It doesn't have to be f/t. Dead won't bite your snake and thsts the whole idea.

BrownSugar92 · 03-23-13, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

3 days is nothing. My Royal hasn't eaten since December and is fine. If you can only get live try fresh kill. Kill the prey ,then give it to your snake. It doesn't have to be f/t. Dead won't bite your snake and thsts the whole idea.

She's taken fresh kill before, but it seems like my little sister is the only one who can do it . . . I have a problem banging a rat again the wall in a plastic bag lol

Lankyrob · 03-23-13, 05:59 AM

You pretty much need to wait the snake out, you may waste some f/t to start with but i would offer one every two weeks until the snake takes one. Make sure the head of the rat is really hot

BrownSugar92 · 03-23-13, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

You pretty much need to wait the snake out, you may waste some f/t to start with but i would offer one every two weeks until the snake takes one. Make sure the head of the rat is really hot

Is that what you did for your snakes?

Lankyrob · 03-23-13, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownSugar92

Is that what you did for your snakes?

I got all but one of my snakes as hatchlings and they never ate live, the other snake was adopted and was already eating f/t.

Breaking a rats neck is much easier and quicker than smashing it into a wall.

stephanbakir · 03-23-13, 07:41 AM

Probably because you picked the moste brutal and least effective way to do it

try cervical dislocation, or CO2

BrownSugar92 · 03-23-13, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Probably because you picked the moste brutal and least effective way to do it

try cervical dislocation, or CO2

Lol I know I know, but I thought it would be easier than popping a spine >.>
C02 isn't going to harm my snake if the rat has been exposed to it?

**lady_bug87** · 03-23-13, 09:09 AM

You're probably thinking of CO (carbon monoxide) which is harmful to humans CO2 (carbon dioxide) is fine. Its what we produce when we exhale

Bloedig · 03-23-13, 11:47 AM

On the subject of thawing a frozen, I might suggest you put the rat in a plastic bag and then into the tub of warm water. Not sure if this is what your doing now, but if not, it may help as the smells, etc are kept on the rat and not washed away by the water.

BrownSugar92 · 03-23-13, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloedig

On the subject of thawing a frozen, I might suggest you put the rat in a plastic bag and then into the tub of warm water. Not sure if this is what your doing now, but if not, it may help as the smells, etc are kept on the rat and not washed away by the water.

I tried one with both, but like I've said before- I never really stuck to it and I've only offered a F/T rat to her twice

Lankyrob · 03-23-13, 12:10 PM

I defrost mine overnight, i am 99% certain that the scent gets to my snakes and sets them into feed mode so that they are more than ready when the time comes, not sure if this 12hrs of scent being wafted around helps with the feed response

BrownSugar92 · 03-23-13, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

I defrost mine overnight, i am 99% certain that the scent gets to my snakes and sets them into feed mode so that they are more than ready when the time comes, not sure if this 12hrs of scent being wafted around helps with the feed response

That makes a lot of sense, I haven't tried the over night thing. Do you think I should do it close to her cage? Or would that even matter much

Lankyrob · 03-23-13, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownSugar92

That makes a lot of sense, I haven't tried the over night thing. Do you think I should do it close to her cage? Or would that even matter much

I defroston the opposite side of the house, by the time i have put the ratsin the cupboard Nd walked back to the living room where the snakes are my retic and carpet are at the glass waiting to eat, by the following morning all the snakes are in their normal feeding positions in Their vivs.