Converting a Live Feeder

[EarthlyMaiden]

My father's a physical sciences teacher and one of his students regrettably must give up her python 'Fuzzy'. Since she provided the materials, we were more than happy to take him in. He'll be serving as my father's 'class pet' and will summer with us at our house. (She'll be giving us his vivarium and fixings when we make the swap, so there's no chance of contamination or anything...trust me, I was on that immediately.)

Fuzzy eats live, however, and while I'm hardly squeamish, I'd prefer not to toss in live mice because of the potential risk of the rat or mouse fighting back. Obviously we would follow the correct procedures, but I still don't like the idea of Fuzzy involved in combat with a particularly feisty rodent.

We've never had to do this for Steve, as he's been eating f/t all his life it seems(although he has proven to be picky at times). My question is, how can we help acclimate this new arrival to a prey that doesn't run around and squeak? Is there any advice you can give us? Tips and tricks?

Feel free to be as specific as you'd like...I've figured out the patterns and habits of the Steve, but this is new territory for me and I totally won't mind.

[wolfy-hound]

Usually if a BP is relaxed and secure, they aren't nearly as picky as the old myth goes. If you thaw a rodent properly, warm it up with a hair dryer so it makes a good "hot spot" to the BP's senses, he should go for it. Each individual snake might want a different thing though. Some prefer a rodent just be laid nearby, some want it moved about further away, while others will only go for the perfect zombie rat dance.

I'm sure that you'll have Fuzzy figured out in no time.

[AKA Dave]

I just got Tex on F/T. I cut her prey size in half, fed one live then followed immediately with a F/T of the same size 3 weeks in a row. Last two times I led with a F/T of the right size and she hit it no problem.

Dave

[pbyeerts]

That's encouraging - I'm trying to get Ginger back to f/t from live, as well


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pamela and GINGER, my wonderful BP

1 dog, 3 cats, 1 macaw, 1 husband, 1 daughter, and GINGER


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk