Scared of feeders?

[NormanSnake]

A week ago I got a new addition and today I tried feeding him F/T and he seems to be scared of it? He's 400g and I tried him on a rat pup which is a very small meal, but is it possible he's afraid of my tongs? I know he's been eating to get to that size! I have access to live prey as well. Should I try live? He seems to be interested in eating and he comes out to eat but then at the slightest wiggle of the F/T feeder, he backs off. Then as soon as I take the feeder out he is roaming his tub as if he's looking for food. It's not a stressed out roaming because he hides at all other times until I offered food. I guess maybe he'll eat next feeding day. Just wondering if anyone has ever experienced something like this and how you dealt with it.

[DooLittle]

What was he eating at the breeders? If it was live, I would do that for a few until he is settled in.

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[NormanSnake]

I forgot to ask the breeder (newb mistake). I'm going to try to contact him today and see.

[RedseaReefer]

I am an absoluty newb buy I would suggest maybe trying live if that's what's he was eating previously. Try moving slowly towards f/t for example:
When I got my pastel she was on live rat pups and I started her on a few love mice, then to fresh killed, now she eats f/t like a champ! But every snake is different. Just have patience with the big guy I'm sure he will come around. I remember reading how long pythons could actually go without a meal, and people freak out much too soon. bat of luck my friend

[Annarose15]

I don't wiggle my f/t. I just hold them at their eye level and let them kind of float slightly side to side. It keeps the BPs attention without making the food seem like a threat.

[BHReptiles]

How are you holding the F/T feeder with the tongs? I have some that will take it by me holding the feeder by the tail, but I have other ones who I have to hold it by the scruff of the neck. Some like a zombie dance, some don't want you to wiggle at all.

However, if the little guy was eating live at the breeders, try to feed live for a few feedings, then try pre-killed. If he takes pre-killed, then try a F/T.

[treeboa]

You could also try showinghim the food then leave it on the cage floor. I have a bp, a Guyanna red-tailed boa, and a whole clutch of jungle carpet pythons that are afraid of both f/t on tongs and live rodents but will eat them f/t and left on the floor of the cage. The jcps all took their first meals that way and have never changed. It makes it easy to feed them.