Live to frozen

[gusanr14]

Hello,

There are probably many posts about it, and I have searched it but was from some time ago. I was hoping there are some new better ideas of switching from live to frozen.
So the local reptile shop that I will be buying from are feeding live for ball pythons. What is the best way to switch to f/t from live? Any tips or experiences? Are there chances that they will just take it right away?
I am referring to baby ball pythons .

[JustinGatCat]

My 3 month old Baby girl was being fed live when I bought her. She took to eating frozen her first feed. I’d say wait a bit longer to feed the snake (maybe like a couple days or even an extra week just to make sure they’re REALLY hungry) and keep the rat very warm(heating up in really hot water or place under heat lamp) and jiggle the prey by the nape of the neck, simulating live moving prey. Some people’s method is to move from live to pre killed then to frozen.


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[Caali]

Hi,

there are a few things you can do with a snake that isn't used to frozen mice/rats. Since snakes use their eyes and their noses to detect food, you should make sure that the mouse smells like a live mouse (sometimes you have to put them in some substrate for rodents, so they smell like it). The mouse should be warm and should move a little bit when you offer it to your snake. Some live earters nevers accept frozen food and others do without no problem. There are also cases in which a snake that eats frozen mice will decide to only eat live from this point on.
My ball python also ate live when I got him. The breeder told me that he's a very good eater so he'd probably eat the frozen mice. The first time I tried to feed him, he refused but that was because he was still stressed from the new environment. The second time he took the F/T.
If you want to switch a ball python from live to frozen, you have to be patient and you have to feed live if you're snake does not accept frozen mice.

I hope this was at least a bit helpful.

[Kira]

I'd recommend getting a ball python that's already eating f/t. As mentioned, if it won't take f/t at first you will likely have to give them a few live meals. If you want to ensure that you're purchasing a snake that is on f/t you can find lots of good options on MorphMarket. Most of the listings will say whether the snake is eating live or frozen prey.

Many users have found that using a blowdryer on f/t prey for 30 seconds (after thawing it in water) seems to help a reluctant snake want to eat their meal.

[wolfy-hound]

If you buy a live feeder and want to swap them to FT then be aware you should offer live for the first few feedings to make certain the snake is settled into his new home before adding any additional stressers.

There's tons of tips on how to swap them over and normally a BP set up properly will readily take a properly prepared FT rodent.

Some key things are that it MUST be fully defrosted, and then warmed. Using a hair dryer to spiffy up the heat signature just before offering it is also a good tactic. Don't be aggro with the prey item, no shoving it at his face, or shaking it vigorously over his head.