Live to f/t?

[scottcovell]

I have a baby that my son got for Christmas from my father. When we got him we were told he was eating small f/t mice. Got him home and settled in and a week later heated up a fridge thawed mouse in warm water in the bag then hit it with the blow dryer. The snake showed no interest. Next week he shed still refused. After 4 weeks I went and got a live mouse and he has ate every Saturday since even in shed. Has any one had the same problem? I would like to switch to rats soon so I won't have to feed multiple mice but I can only get frozen rats in my area? Any ideas would be appreciated. Sorry so long winded.

[The Serpent Merchant]

This is a very common issue. there are multiple ways to transition a snake from live to F/T. I have had luck with feeding mine pre-killed rodents at first then after a few good responses trying a F/T.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Warm up the rodent until it's VERY warm--almost hot to the touch (not burn your fingers hot, but hot). Doing this, I can often get snakes that have never seen FT before to snap it up instantly.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Warm up the rodent until it's VERY warm--almost hot to the touch (not burn your fingers hot, but hot). Doing this, I can often get snakes that have never seen FT before to snap it up instantly.

just don't get it hot enough that it starts to cook the rodent

[tsy72001]

Yes, both of my boys balls did that. They only eat live and are very happy! I will not stress them out and change to f/t, in nature there are no f/t prey.

[Kyle7676]

Yes, both of my boys balls did that. They only eat live and are very happy! I will not stress them out and change to f/t, in nature there are no f/t prey.

My concern with live is I have had one of my bp's bitten by a rat when she grabbed it wrong. Poor thing had a scar after that. To me, as long as they eat, I don't think it matters to them if its live or f/t. If anything, its just easier on them, less time constricting

[satomi325]

My concern with live is I have had one of my bp's bitten by a rat when she grabbed it wrong. Poor thing had a scar after that. To me, as long as they eat, I don't think it matters to them if its live or f/t. If anything, its just easier on them, less time constricting

When feeding live, its best to feed smaller prey more frequent than larger ones less often. Weanling and small rats are harmless. This is probably one of the safest thing a keeper can do when feeding live.

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[Royal Hijinx]

I had luck first switching to equivalent size live rats, then pre-killed, then frozen-thawed. A few weeks of each. All 5 have made the switch with that technique.