What to do with a rat if the snake won't take it yet?

[Smoked Oyster]

As I posted in another thread, I am new here and will be getting my first ball python this weekend from a reputable local breeder. She is a 4 year old female.

I am curious to know what you all do with a live rat if the python won't take it right away. Do you keep the rat in a cage and keep it alive until the python is ready? Do you need to feed the rat and know how to take care of such an animal?

I've done a ton of research before purchase, and I'm getting my tank set up this week in anticipation. However, I've never really found the answer to this question, so any advice is greatly appreciated!

[L.West]

What I've always done is set up a 10 gallon tank with a water bottle and food dish and basically take care of the rat until the next feeding.

Your only other choice would be to euthanize the rat to become a frozen/thawed meal down the road.

[babyknees]

Yes. Any rats or mice or other live prey that my animals won't take are put aside in a cage with food and water until I'm ready to offer again. This is why I prefer f/t but some of my snakes won't take it.

[crepers86]

Some pet stores will allow thre return off a feeder and give you store credit. But each is different.

[Redneck_Crow]

For now, get yourself a rat cage. This will only help you out for a few weeks--the rat will keep growing and may grow to an inappropriate size for your snake. My local store will do trades on feeders if this happens--ask where you buy yours.

Once you get a few more snakes, this will not be a problem. It seems like when you get several of them one will end up being a garbage can and eat anything that the others refuse.

[Smoked Oyster]

Thanks for the replies! For now the plan is to only have 1 snake, so either she will eat it or she won't. What do you guys feed these rats? I love the idea of caring for a snake, not so much of caring for a rat!

[Highline Reptiles South]

Get a RTB...my own personal rat disposal device...

Not like my pain in the rear balls that i need to beg and cajole to eat

[TKByrnes21783]

Get whats called a "PIG" Ball python! I have a 2500g norm female that will eat a rat pup! lol

[LotusCorvus]

You can feed the rats with diet/elderly dog food, or really even just normal dog food if its only going to be for a short time. Otherwise get them lab blocks, I have a family-owned pet shop that sells rat lab blocks for about 1.50/lb, and you just scoop as much as you need. If you're lucky, you'll hopefully be able to find something like that, otherwise just go with a small bag of cheap dog food.

[crepers86]

When I had this problem, I fed the rat veggie scraps, snap peas, green beans, carrots, peanutbutter, crackers, chips, potatos, sweet potatos, cookies, bread, pizza crust, dog food.

The problem wasnt feeding, it was getying attached to the rat because I would take it outat lease once a day to keep it from getting lonely...