Switching to rats

[stupidcracker00]

Ok, I haven't fed my bp in 3 weeks for various reasons (mainly she was in shed for two of the feeding days) and her feeding day is today. I know she has to be super hungry so I've decided that there's not a better time to switch her over to rats. I've got her feeding on 2 f/t adult mice a week.

I tried feeding her a small f/t rat tonight but she wouldn't eat. Should I just wait till next week to offer her the ray again? Or should I just feed her the mice so she doesn't starve to death? Advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
~SC

[Sammy412]

it depends on the age and size of your snake. If she is a baby, she needs to eat something after 3 weeks. If she is older and of a good weight, she can go a few weeks without eating. I made my female switch to rats, she only skipped one meal. What I did was I thawed the rat in the same bowl with a mouse, then rubbed the mouse all over the rat. FIrst time, no go. Second time, she was hungry and she took it straight away. That's pretty fast for a switch, but it does happen. she hasn't looked back. Try to scent the rat with the mouse, that should help some. Also being really hungry is to your advantage. A couple of mine don't like the food right in their face, so if she is like that, just try not to overwhelm her with it. If you want, you can actually leave it in overnight as well. Good Luck

[iCandiBallPythons]

try thawing a mouse with the rat

[stupidcracker00]

it depends on the age and size of your snake. If she is a baby, she needs to eat something after 3 weeks. If she is older and of a good weight, she can go a few weeks without eating. I made my female switch to rats, she only skipped one meal. What I did was I thawed the rat in the same bowl with a mouse, then rubbed the mouse all over the rat. FIrst time, no go. Second time, she was hungry and she took it straight away. That's pretty fast for a switch, but it does happen. she hasn't looked back. Try to scent the rat with the mouse, that should help some. Also being really hungry is to your advantage. A couple of mine don't like the food right in their face, so if she is like that, just try not to overwhelm her with it. If you want, you can actually leave it in overnight as well. Good Luck

Ok I'm going to try that method tonight. She hatched 5/15/10 so she's about 6 months old. She pounds down mice like nobodies buisness... That's why I'm trying to switch her over to something bigger and more cost effective.

[stupidcracker00]

try thawing a mouse with the rat

That was the very first thing I tried... Thanks tho :/

[iCandiBallPythons]

try downsizing to a rat pup for a feeding or two

[stupidcracker00]

try downsizing to a rat pup for a feeding or two

Ok I will. Do they sell those in pet stores like petsmart and/or Petco? Also, do u think it would be easier to feed her live instead of f/t?

[iCandiBallPythons]

Ok I will. Do they sell those in pet stores like petsmart and/or Petco? Also, do u think it would be easier to feed her live instead of f/t?

i know petsmart sells frozen ones

[stupidcracker00]

Ok cool. Do u think it's that big of a difference between small rats and rat pups?

[rabernet]

Ok cool. Do u think it's that big of a difference between small rats and rat pups?

Yes. Are you feeding f/t or live?

Here's what's worked for me every time. Get some dirty mouse bedding and put a handful in the front of her enclosure.

When you see her actively flicking her toungue and investigating and looking for the mouse (from the smell of the mouse bedding), offer a white rat that's as close to the same size as your mice that you're feeding, or just slightly larger.

She should strike immediately when she's in that hunt mode.