Wont eat rats, just mice, any ideas on getting him switched over?

[jjj_85]

I got my normal ball back in July of '11. I fed him one rat and he took it instantly as his first meal. The rat was too big for him and due to the pet store not having any options I started to feed mice. Then I started to feed 2 mice. Now I realized this is ridiculous and small rats are perfect and I can get them any time I need now. I tried a for a month and a half with live small rats and he did not show a lot of interest in them. The first one he struck and coiled then must have realized its not a mouse and let go. I have tried several things so far and any ideas would help. I have had mice and rats at the same time so I have tried scenting the rat in several ways. I have just thrown the rat in the mouse cage for awhile. I have rolled the rat around in mouse feces. I have put 3 mice and one rat in a small box together for an hour before feeding. I have even rubbed the mice and rat together before feeding! The snake will perk up like hes ready to feed, then when he realizes its not a mouse he will show no interest whatsoever. I would like to note that I want to get him switched to rats then I want to try to get him to eat f/t. My boa and corn both eat f/t so its just the picky ball now....sooo much easier and safer. Any Ideas???

[adamjeffery]

try feeding him a small mouse, then while he is in feeding mode put in a small rat. thats all i can think of for now that you havnt tried.
adam jeffery

[Slim]

Sounds like you've done about all you can to get mouse scent on the rat.

Have you tried the tough love approach? Offer the rat until he's hungery enough to get over his preference for mice. They can refuse for quite some time before finally taking the rat. This method can really test your patience, and dosen't always work, but might be worth a a shot.

[jjj_85]

I can try sneaking a rat in after he eats a small mouse. I didn't even think of that. He has a really strong feed response once he's in that mode. I let it go about 6 weeks of refusing the rat before i gave in and went back to mice. This worries me about switching to frozen. He won't even show interest in fresh killed...but that's another challenge. I want him on rats first.

[DooLittle]

Sounds like you have done a good job trying. Some bps are just picky and set in their ways. You could wait and let him get hungry, offer nothing but rats. If he won't eat, try getting a rat pup/fuzzy that still has eyes closed and just leave it in his tank alone with him. You may find he ate it. If he is this picky now, good luck getting him to f/t. Of my 6, all but one will eat p/k. I think he would just starve, it HAS to be alive. No zombie dance for him. Oh well, that's the way the balls roll.... Good luck.

[Billy305]

Ive had all of my snakes switch by just not feeding them mice. I offer a rat each feeding time and if they dont take it they get to wait until next week. As long as they dont lose weight, this has been good for me. Get them in the "If you're going to eat, your going to eat this" mode

[Gbusiness]

What I would try do since you want him on f/t rat's and off live eventually. Is I would first try and get the bp to take f/t mice first. If he doesn't take it during the first 15 mins of feeding then just leave it in his tub/cage overnight. I've had "Great Success!" with this approach. Once, he accept's them I would then try a f/t ween rat. The ween rat will be slightly bigger less hair then the full grown mouse. Then once he accept's that you should be golden and a small f/t rat should not be a issue. Boo yaa!

[jjj_85]

I've left prekilled mice in his cage overnight twice. In and right outside of his hide. It looked like he ran them over while cruising around at night...didn't even care they were there.

[captainjack0000]

If you say that after a feed there is a strong hunt and kill reaction, try putting in a small live mouse, and then try the F/T rat of appropriate size right after when it is still in search and destroy mode. I use a bent up coat hanger (or some people use tongs) to dance the rat around. You could even leave the F/T rat in overnight as suggested above.

Are the rats by any chance a different color? I've heard on the interwebs BPs being picky about color.

[RichsBallPythons]

Feed what he wants, Some wont take rats right away and can take months to years to switch. Be glad hes eating and not refusing