Ok, so when I bought my BP he/she was being fed live mice. A few things I didnt quite anticipate would be having trouble switching from live to F/T but also to rats.
I've tried a couple different things. Right now hes eating 2 "jumbo" mice which appear to be the same size as the extra small rats the local pet shop sells (live btw). He takes down both mice without issue. I currently give him one, wait about 30 minutes or until hes back in his hide, then toss the other one in. He gets them both fairly quickly but theres a bit of stalking going on as well.
I've tried in the past (kind of a lame attempt by myself) to switch from live mice to F/T but didnt have any luck and I think I gave up too quickly.
Right now, feeding 3 mice, I'm wanting to make the switch to rats. Months ago, (like late summer) he took a small rat with no problem. Snatched that thing up just like it was a mouse. Thats the only rat I was able to get him to eat. Since then I've offered extra small rats (about equal to jumbo mice size) every now and then but he just either sniffs it and hesitates until the rat makes a fast movement then its kinda game over and he wont come out again, hence my problem.
I want to make the change to F/T because rats seem a little more active an bullyish(bull in a china shop lol), which of course just frightens the snake into avoiding it.
I was reading another post from another forum that google showed me about feeding a mice, waiting till its almost down, then guiding the rats head in afterwards, in hopes that it'll just continue eating and eventually take rats w/o the mice first.
I was also curious about scenting. Or braining i guess. Do you just crack the mice's skull open and let the scent waft around the container or do you need to smear the rat with it or is this just a F/T tactic?
This was a total rambling, poorly thought out and last minute post so excuse the sloppyness. Mainly just curious how to switch from live mice to F/T rats.
Btw, my temps and humidity havent been changed really. Theres an up swing in the evening as the sun hits that room but its only a few degree difference and he has a nice gradient in his cage. He has two hides, a waterbowl and a makeshift overhang made with leafy vine and bamboo sticks that give him some cover. Humidity has been at about 50-55%, up to 70 for shedding.
Seems healthy as far as I can tell.
P.s. Will definitely be looking for a snake thats already taking F/T next time
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