Feeding frozen

[wolfy-hound]

Hi all, yet antoher question. I did a minor search and couldn't find the threads on it, although I KNOW I saw it before.
What is the preferred method for getting your ball python to accept frozen/thawed rodents?
Some of mine ate no problem, some I have to wiggle the rodent a bunch before they will strike and eat it. Is there an accepted method of fasting until they eat, or fasting one week offering frozen, then giving in to feed live?
I don't want to starve my guys at all, but how about affering froz then waiting a few days past their normal feed day? What is accepted and what is not?
I did get 5 very young females to all eat froz, no problem at all. 3of 5 additional ones ate as well. Some of my larger one(150+ g) ate some did not. And some of the subadults did, and some did not. One got really angry and decided she should eat me instead! Some seem to have problems striking at a rat hung right in front of them, they miss, but seem interested, but when they miss, they give up, although they did not miss when offered live. Everyone ate when offered live except one female who turned out to be near shed.
Sorry for the questions, but I really would prefer to give them frozen and I try looking for previous topics too. If this is covered somewhere on her, could you give me a link to it?
Thank so much, and I am sooo looking forward to my new enclosures arriving soon.
Wolfy

[tigerlily]

Most people when they switch to f/t just offer it up in place of the live or p/k. Sometimes you need to get the snake into a routine of eating for you, and then try switching over to f/t. (I'm currently trying this option, by offering a couple live feedings and then offering f/t) I also have some nice stinky bedding to use to scent the f/t prey too, if necessary. I don't think it would hurt to wait a week and then offering food but I haven't tried this. Some snakes may need a little more time to feel secure in their new homes. If all else fails try throwing some balled up newspaper. That helped one of my big girls get back to eating when I moved her into her new rack. You just gotta see what works for each individual.

[recycling goddess]

If all else fails try throwing some balled up newspaper. That helped one of my big girls get back to eating when I moved her into her new rack.

i don't understand

[tigerlily]

Sorry. Sometimes if a snake doesn't feel secure enough, it won't eat. By throwing in the balled up newspaper, you add to their sense of security. They don't feel vunerable, like they might with wide open spaces. It's like making their entire cage into a nice comfy hide. I'm really tired, so I hope that explains it well, if not I can take another stab at it.

[frankykeno]

Christie sure hope you got your nap today you poor thing!

It's a little trick Adam of 8BallPythons recommends and it's worked for a lot of us. You just make balls of scrunched up newspaper and fill up any open spaces of the enclosure so the snake can happily rustle through, around and under them when it's moving from hide to hide. Really helps to calm down a stressed, scared snake.

We did it with big Brannagh when we first got her. She was so hyper-stressed she would not even stop "pacing" her cage and use a hide. We'd find her just sort of flopped when she exhausted herself. Added in the newspaper balls and in short order she was happily using her two hides like a normal snake.

Just don't suddenly remove them all or it's stressful. We just removed a few here and there till they were all gone.


~~Jo~~

[recycling goddess]

what a cool idea!!!

thanks ladies for explaining it to me

and to everyone... it's so nice to be able to ask questions and not have a constant response of "do a search" "have you tried doing a search?" as you get on some other forums... you are all so welcoming and friendly you make me WANT to stay and learn... and post.

so thanks!

[tigerlily]

Your welcome. That's what we're here for. I've learned some of the coolest stuff from this place and hopefully will learn more.

(Yes Joanna I did get a nap, thank the heavens. Although I still walked around most of the day as a zombie.)

[ErikH]

The newspaper trick really does work. I am certain that that is what got him feeding after three weeks of refusing food.

[ErikH]

OOPS! I meant my snake Monty, by the way.

[frankykeno]

This forum is a great one to be sure!

Mike and I give full credit to it's members, Admin and Mods for all the support, information, and plain out sharing of joy with us. Without these folks we would have never dared to offer homes to Rauri, Brannagh, Saoirse and Kyna....all who came to us with some issue or other. Even to the point of one member, Becky, who has opened her home and heart to give one big male BCI a forever home come spring. Other members who listen to me babble endlessly on the phone about this or that with the snakes and to Adam, who answers any call for help without hesitation and continues to lead by example with his passion for Ball Pythons. Kara, who shows us what can be possible and encourages our dreams.

Finding this forum is likely the second best thing that's ever happened....the first was of course falling in love with Royals in the first place!


~~Jo~~