F/t to live, help appreciated!!!

[ODoyle90]

I somewhat recently got my Ball Python, Boomer. He is a true champ and is everything I could have hoped for in a pet. He is currently on a f/t regimen, and I was hoping to switch him over to live in the near future. He is a phenomenal eater. Currently, he takes 2 fuzzies every 5 days like clockwork. I tried to see if they knew his age, but judging from the amount of time they had him in stock, I place him at a little under a year. He is almost 2 feet long at this point and is very healthy.

I know that switching to live is a big choice and is pretty irreversible as far as feeding patterns. I was hoping that I might be able to make the switch as cleanly as possible, and would appreciate any input on the best way to go about it. I never make any choices about my pets without knowing exactly what I'm getting into, so I would appreciate anything that members on this sight have to offer. Thanks in advance for any responses!

[Kymberli]

I somewhat recently got my Ball Python, Boomer. He is a true champ and is everything I could have hoped for in a pet. He is currently on a f/t regimen, and I was hoping to switch him over to live in the near future. He is a phenomenal eater. Currently, he takes 2 fuzzies every 5 days like clockwork. I tried to see if they knew his age, but judging from the amount of time they had him in stock, I place him at a little under a year. He is almost 2 feet long at this point and is very healthy.

I know that switching to live is a big choice and is pretty irreversible as far as feeding patterns. I was hoping that I might be able to make the switch as cleanly as possible, and would appreciate any input on the best way to go about it. I never make any choices about my pets without knowing exactly what I'm getting into, so I would appreciate anything that members on this sight have to offer. Thanks in advance for any responses!

Just curious, what is your reasoning for wanting to switch him to live?
I only ask because typically it's the opposite being questioned.
I would think it'd be a bit easier to switch from f/t to live prey, as they seem to prefer it being that it is instinctual for them to eat live rodents. Whatever your reason being, be sure to monitor the feedings! Though, even watching does not insure there won't be injuries to your snake. Before I was able to switch my Pin over to p/k he had a little bite taken out of his side because he had not constricted a mouse correctly or tight enough and it was able to turn and bite him. Even though I was monitoring the feeding, clearly I could not prevent this.
Many big breeders feed live, and I really do not have a problem with it. Just curious why you want to switch.

[Jeremy Browning]

I have 39 snakes and countless lizards and frogs. All of my snakes eat f/t but my BP previously only accepted live and it was not fun. My bp always got hurt and i would have treat her abrasions plus she would give me feeding bites all the time because when they feed on live they think you're food. along with the fact a f/t mouse is 74 cents and live one is 5$. Plus live can carry all sorts of parasites., which can kill you're snake. If you really want to switch to live then go ahead but i still don't think its a good idea.

[Simple Man]

Let's not turn this into a debate about F/T and live. There's plenty of threads about that if that was his question.

Almost all of mine take live and F/T without problem. Are you feeding rat or mice fuzzies?

Regards,

B

[rperry03]

Go with something smaller like a rat pup that is less likely to cause your snake harm and see how it goes.

[ODoyle90]

Well to answer the first question about why I was looking to switch, I have several friends who have had BP's as pets, and the majority had live without problems. I'm still not sold 100% on the switch, but was interested enough to look into it a bit further.

I have researched and have looked into the probabilities of my snake getting injured. I know this is a common problem, and definitely one to weigh. When he eats, he bites and constricts with such force that he has been known to pop a fuzzie or two...

I was also wondering, if I did switch, there was an appropriate age or size I should wait for.

B, He currently is taking mice fuzzies.

[Skittles1101]

No idea why anyone would want to switch from f/t to live. I realize people feed live because they generally have to or they'll have a snake that starves itself, but really....switching from f/t to live? F/t is cheaper, you can store massive amounts without having to feed it. If they refuse it, you don't have a pet for a week. It makes no sense to me. To answer your question, there is no specific age you should switch from f/t to live, probably because it's so rare if it even happens at all. And fuzzy mice are very small prey, even for a baby. I'd consider finding the appropriate size prey.

[Simple Man]

Your snake won't be injured if you monitor feedings like you're supposed to. Those horror pictures you see on the internet are only from irresponsible owners that keep rats in with their animals for very long periods of time. A lot of people on here have fed thousands of live prey and never had an issue. Your snake is your responsibility so you need to decide what you prefer. I have several snakes that eat both live and F/T and some that only eat live. I'm converting all over to live because of the amount of snakes I have and cost. It is cheaper for me to have my own rat colonies and feed live. The decision rests with you and what is easier to provide for your snakes.

Your prey are too small. I would definitely try larger. You should be using young mice or fuzzy/pup rats. Some of mine don't mess with really young rats/mice but will readily take an adult. I'm not sure if it's the movement or smell but definitely try larger prey items. Good luck!

Regards,

B

[creaturelover92]

Well to answer the first question about why I was looking to switch, I have several friends who have had BP's as pets, and the majority had live without problems. I'm still not sold 100% on the switch, but was interested enough to look into it a bit further.

I have researched and have looked into the probabilities of my snake getting injured. I know this is a common problem, and definitely one to weigh. When he eats, he bites and constricts with such force that he has been known to pop a fuzzie or two...

I was also wondering, if I did switch, there was an appropriate age or size I should wait for.

B, He currently is taking mice fuzzies.

Im not gonna tell u my thoughts about u switching from f/t to live im just gonna lay a thought out there for u to think about and everyone else that feeds live (not saying its bad) but when ur snake gets older and slower its not going to be the fastest and strongest snake anymore plus frozen in bulk is cheaper then buy live at a store although nothing compares to breeding your own and not having to pay for them but then u have to buy rat food scoop poop and make sure ur stock is in good health but i feel u have to do what is best for your snake not u think awhile before making a big decision like switching f/t to live (not saying u havnt thought about it) but good luck with what ever u choose
post some pics when u fatten him up

[Kymberli]

Well to answer the first question about why I was looking to switch, I have several friends who have had BP's as pets, and the majority had live without problems. I'm still not sold 100% on the switch, but was interested enough to look into it a bit further.

I have researched and have looked into the probabilities of my snake getting injured. I know this is a common problem, and definitely one to weigh. When he eats, he bites and constricts with such force that he has been known to pop a fuzzie or two...

I was also wondering, if I did switch, there was an appropriate age or size I should wait for.

B, He currently is taking mice fuzzies.

First of all, seems like people replying to this thread are getting a bit off topic. I understand live vs. f/t or p/k is a big controversial subject, but that is not what this thread is about. As B had said before, there are too many existing threads on the subject to care for. So, I'm going to stick to answering the questions that the OP is asking. The only reason I asked what your reason for switching was, was purely out of curiosity.

In reply to this post I have quoted.. Of course there are risks and I know you already understand them. As has been said, as long as you don't leave a live rodent in there for hours or more, it's really no big deal. If you're careful about feeding live, then I am sure the only problem you will face is the occasional quick nip as I had experienced with my Pinstripe. The only reason I switched my Pin to p/k was I couldn't stand the last live feeding I had with him. It was a rat and he had not constricted it properly for whatever reason, so it quite literally took him five minutes to kill the thing. The "screaming" is unbearable for me.

As for your last question regarding age in relation to live feeding, they can eat live at any age. In fact, all breeders that I am aware of start hatchling snakes out on live to get them feeding, then switch to f/t or p/k. You will most likely have no problem switching to live. It seems as though most snakes prefer live, so you shouldn't need to perform any "tricks" to get him to eat.