Converting from live mice to F/T rats

[KushBall16]

First of all I would like to say hello because I am new here.

MY BP is around 1 1/2 years, 3 ft long, and is currently eating 2 large live mice every other week. I have been trying to convert him to small f/t rats but he does not have ANY interest.

He chomps away at the live mice as soon as they hit the feeding box but he shys away from any rat. I really want to try and convert him into eating F/T rats because it is much cheaper and he is plenty big enough to eat rats.

I have tried tricking him by giving him a live mouse first and then dump the F/T rat out of the mouse box, but that has not worked. As soon as he smells/sees the rat he loses interest and does not want to feed anymore. I have tried dangling it in front of him and dropping it in the box next to him as well.

I've heard things like dip in chicken broth or rub the chips from the mouse tank on it....any insight? Any other help would be appreciated. Maybe he is just spoiled and will never convert to f/t.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You need to understand that switching prey type is already difficult in most cases and that trying to go from Live mice straight to F/T rats could be even more difficult.

My advice take it one step at the time.

Switch to live rat, try offering a rat the same size than the mice currently offered, this make the transition slight easier.

Then once your BP has switched and has successfully ate rats 3 to 5 weeks in a row, switch to F/T.

It can take time and require tough love so if your BP does not take the prey offered, do not offer a live mouse instead try again the following weeks.

Of course tough love requires an healthy animal with a good body weight that can handle missing meals for weeks even months.

[KushBall16]

You need to understand that switching prey type is already difficult in most cases and that trying to go from Live mice straight to F/T rats could be even more difficult.

My advice take it one step at the time.

Switch to live rat, try offering a rat the same size than the mice currently offered, this make the transition slight easier.

Then once your BP has switched and has successfully ate rats 3 to 5 weeks in a row, switch to F/T.

It can take time and require tough love so if your BP does not take the prey offered, do not offer a live mouse instead try again the following weeks.

Of course tough love requires an healthy animal with a good body weight that can handle missing meals for weeks even months.

Thanks! Oh yeah, he is plenty healthy to miss a meal for a couple weeks

I'm just a little concerned putting a live rat in the feeding box with the snake.....I could try knocking it out before feeding it to him. (Don't know if people think that is inhumane or not)

I'll deff be doing some more research on this subject. I appreciate your help!

[SnakeKB]

I was lucky enough to switch my 3 babies over to F/T today. 2 switched to rats and the other switched to mice. Something that might help the switch to rats is offering a small size to start out with. That will get there taste for the rat developed if they take it. I believe they can sometimes be intimidated by the prey size of something new. Maybe try a Rat Pup or even a Fuzzy to start with.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Thanks! Oh yeah, he is plenty healthy to miss a meal for a couple weeks

I'm just a little concerned putting a live rat in the feeding box with the snake.....I could try knocking it out before feeding it to him. (Don't know if people think that is inhumane or not)

I'll deff be doing some more research on this subject. I appreciate your help!

Actually rats are far less aggressive tan mice and a rat pup (which is the size of an adult mouse) will not pose any threat, once used to the rat up the size as needed.

Another little advice if you use a feeding box try feeding directly in the enclosure.

[KushBall16]

Well, it looks like this will be somewhat of a long process.

I just tried feeding him a small live rat that I put into a co2 chamber first to knock it out a bit....did not take it. I guess he's prejudice against rats; won't even eat live ones.

Looks like I will have to skip some feedings in order to get this guy to start eating rats.