converting from live to f/t???

I just got in 4 BP's and live rats here are WAY too overpriced at around $5-6 a rat -_____-...... I am building my collection back up and want to start converting these guys to eat F/T as sooon as possible that way the more come in the easier it will be to just focus on one at a time..... My question is what are the best and most effective ways to go about this? please chime in with any tips! I know a few but i want to get them all on here so i can try everything possible

The technique that I use is this:
- After thawing the rat, heat it up to 99-100F. This is the natural body temp of a live rat. You can use something like a blow dryer, heat lamp, or heat up some water to 100F and let the rats sit in it for a few minutes. Whichever method you choose, just make sure that you don't overheat and/or start cooking the rat ( heat lamp).

- Pre-scent the room. You can do this by thawing/heating the rats near the enclosures or by using a blow dryer to circulate the rat scent around the room. Once the snakes smell it, they should be getting interested and in feed mode.

- Use feed tongs and grab the rat by the scruff of the neck. Present the rat about 4-6 inches in front of the snake and lightly wiggle it (zombie dance). Make the rat look like it is kind of sitting there, sniffing around. Let the snake come to the rat.

- If they don't seem interested, then just lay the rat down about 3-4 inches in front of the hide and leave it overnight. Some snakes will come out later and eat. If it is still there in the morning, discard the rat and try again on the next scheduled feed day.

The whole objective is to take a frozen, dead rat and make it seem as close to alive as you can. If the snake doesn't eat it, make sure you keep track of it's weight, because you may have to apply a little tough love and try waiting it out for a few weeks before giving in and feeding live, then start the process over.

My largest girl Ancantha ate f/t but the local store lost a breeder that supplied them with rat pups and large mice (f) so i had feed her live for about 4 months, she didnt like them thumped out. Now they lost one of there rat breeders and its close to impossible to get a small rat thats actual size for her. I have alot of frozen mice and rat now but she wont eat them, its just my two babies. ive done all this stuff and still no dice, shes done stints of 2 -3 months where she wouldnt eat because it was to "big"(was proper size but ate hoppers, last owner) or because f/t.

Good luck with yours now im stuck breeding my own rats to save a bit o money and have proper sized food when they need it.

Sometimes they "convert" themselves. Sometimes they are bullheaded. I have 3 females who took f/t the first time I offered it and they are chowing down on them like the world is running out of rats and they want their share.

I have another one who I "tricked" into eating f/t one time. I don't think she has ever forgotten about it. Each time I offer a rodent, live or f/t, she checks it out very carefully and I swear, it's as if she is making sure that it is alive and therefore fit to eat.

thank you all that blower dryer trick sounds like it might get the job done! its ridiculous how cheap rats go for at a reptile expo compared to a local pet shop.. 1.25-1.75 a rat... VS 3.50-3.75 a rat....... :O

I hope my ladies all convert its them im worried about my boys can eat live it s no biggie

Some of my BPs convert with no problem and some are super stubborn.

If the BP is used to live I will offer pre killed before I go right into f/t. Properly and humainly euthanize the rat and offer the fresh killed rat to the BP. They should take it from tongs with no problem.
Then I usually just try a plain f/t rat and offer it to the BP doing the whole "zombie dance". If they dont take it I then leave the rat on the hot side and turn the lights out in the room. Some of my BPs have readily taken a f/t rat themselves without then being dangled from tongs.

If a BP doesnt take it after that I go with the urine thing. Thaw the dead rodent and rub it around in dirty rat bedding. Trying to get as much scent and urine on it as possible. At this time the f/t will have cooled down a bit so reheating it is a good idea. You can try dangling from tongs or leaving it on the hot side.
I find the most problem I have converting is making sure the f/t prey is the right temp for the snakes to be fooled.

Keep trying and be patient! It usually takes me 1-2 months to convert to complete f/t. Hope this helps

but Ive never had a problem getting any of my snakes to take f/t and alot of them were previously fed live only. Like my biggest BP Fluffy is about 6 or 7 and took f/t in a heartbeat. Some of my young BPS fed live only took a few times.. I'd try once a week which is when I feed all my snakes.. andd I think one snake refused once or twice.
Now I have had one HELL of a time getting my Jungle Carpet Python to eat rats.. I tried her once or twice after trying w/out her eating for months. then after having a hard time getting her to take one again I gave in. Figured one BIG snake that has to eat a ton isn't so bad..

I guess I haven't had enough BPS because all of my are total pigs, even more so than my corn snakes ( I have 3 corns that only eat if the f/t rat or mouse is left in ..
my bps all practically jump as soon as the lids are coming off.

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Originally Posted by mues155

Some of my BPs convert with no problem and some are super stubborn.

If the BP is used to live I will offer pre killed before I go right into f/t. Properly and humainly euthanize the rat and offer the fresh killed rat to the BP. They should take it from tongs with no problem.
Then I usually just try a plain f/t rat and offer it to the BP doing the whole "zombie dance". If they dont take it I then leave the rat on the hot side and turn the lights out in the room. Some of my BPs have readily taken a f/t rat themselves without then being dangled from tongs.

If a BP doesnt take it after that I go with the urine thing. Thaw the dead rodent and rub it around in dirty rat bedding. Trying to get as much scent and urine on it as possible. At this time the f/t will have cooled down a bit so reheating it is a good idea. You can try dangling from tongs or leaving it on the hot side.
I find the most problem I have converting is making sure the f/t prey is the right temp for the snakes to be fooled.

Keep trying and be patient! It usually takes me 1-2 months to convert to complete f/t. Hope this helps

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thank you this is actually really good info, all these small tricks you over look :gj:

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Originally Posted by th3jok3r

thank you this is actually really good info, all these small tricks you over look :gj:

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your very welcome.
The fact that we trick a snake into taking dead prey is a miracle in itself.
Snakes are not scavengers, they dont eat dead prey naturally.
So its up to us to trick the snake into thinking it smells right and the body is the right temp to feel right to the snake. If the temp of the f/t body isnt accurate to live prey the snake will most likely not take it.
Hope this helps you! good luck in your conversion! its a very smart idea to have all your snakes converted to f/t, both costly and safe for you and the snake.

Mine all take F/T, but when they're feeling finicky, poking a hole in the skulls and squeezing a bit of the brain out ALWAYS does the trick