What to do with rejected F/T food?

[vferdman]

I have had this BP for about 3 weeks and she only ate once. The other two offerings were rejected. I bought an adult frozen mouse the first time, she did not take it. A week later I offered a frozen hopper and she took it. The other day, her next feeding day I offered a frozen adult again and again she did not take it. I was told by the seller that she eats adults and she certainly looks like she can put away an adult mouse. The question is the following. If the frozen mouse is not taken, can I re-freeze it? I've thrown away (gave to the crows in back yard) the previous rejected mice, but it seems very wasteful. Can I re-freeze the thawed out mouse to offer later or is that asking for trouble? I am a newb at this, please help. I am not terribly worried about her not eating, because she is a very healthy and friendly snake and she is adjusting to the new environment in my home. I am also trying to figure out all the things newbies need to figure out. This forum is excellent for that, thanks! But this means I am changing things in her cage fairly often. I have settled on the hides, so that hasn't changed, but I am fiddling with heat sources, thermostats, etc. I handle the snake daily (I REALLY like that part) and she seems perfectly calm and happy. I think she will probably settle into a good feeding pattern at some point. In the meantime I do not want to waste so many mice.

thanks!

P.S. Here she is: Isis.

[sho220]

You can re-freeze and try again once if you're lucky. If you're unlucky you'll end up with a belly buster (the belly skin on the rodent tears and out comes the icky stuff).

[sho220]

Although the ideal solution is to have more snakes...That way if one refuses, you have others to try...More snakes is better...

[xdeus]

Yep, refrozen rodents can get pretty messy.

There are a few other options as well:

1. Feed live and get a cage for the mouse.
2. Feed P/K and you will be able to freeze it and try again if refused.
3. Get another snake like a Milksnake that rarely refuses food and feed the leftovers from your Ball if he refuses.

[h00blah]

i throw rejected food away..

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

IME ball pythons are very picky eaters. In the case that there is a reject rat and no one else wants to eat it. I give it to my friends RTB. That thing eats anything.

[vferdman]

Although the ideal solution is to have more snakes...That way if one refuses, you have others to try...More snakes is better...

Got it. As long as there is no belly buster I can do it. Thanks!

More snakes sounds great, but I am still learning with this one. I am also not ready for tubs and racks. I have a glass cage, which takes more room. Multiple snakes will most likely necessitate tub/rack setup. I am just not there yet.

[vferdman]

Yep, refrozen rodents can get pretty messy.

There are a few other options as well:

1. Feed live and get a cage for the mouse.
2. Feed P/K and you will be able to freeze it and try again if refused.
3. Get another snake like a Milksnake that rarely refuses food and feed the leftovers from your Ball if he refuses.

What's "P/K"?

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

What's "P/K"?

Pre killed

[Brie]

Got it. As long as there is no belly buster I can do it. Thanks!

More snakes sounds great, but I am still learning with this one. I am also not ready for tubs and racks. I have a glass cage, which takes more room. Multiple snakes will most likely necessitate tub/rack setup. I am just not there yet.

It won't take long... lol I wasn't "there" a month ago... and today I'm mapping out a rack design.

Also on the hopper/adult mouse... if she'll take a hopper but not the adult mice, then perhaps you can feed her hoppers for right now. Offer two. I have a baby burm that is being finicky. He is refusing adult mice but will eat two hoppers.