Live to F/T. Any harder with Boa's than BP's?

I just picked up a new Red Tail from a co-worker's son who didn't want it anymore. It's supposed to be about 5 years old, and has always eaten live rats. I'm going to make sure everything is good with this snake, and get it eating F/T before I find a new permanent home for it.

Any tips that are different than BP's to getting RTBs to eat thawed to live? I figure patience is key as with any snake.

When I had a couple of boa constrictors a few years back, they were way easier to switch to F/T than ball pythons. I offered it. They ate. No being tricky, no doing the dead rat boogie with tongs, no gimics. I placed it in front of them and it was gone.

My Solomon Island boas were the same way. It required no patience on my part--just present the rat and keep your hands and fingers away from the moving parts.

I doubt that each and every boa is that way, but my boas and all of my friends boas were basically happy little vacuum cleaners. It might not be as bad as you think to get it switched over. And thanks for taking the time and effort to find a snake a good home! :banana:

I have had our baby RTB only a month. She had eaten 3 times for the breeder - all live. I fed her 3 days after she came home to us and I offered f/t. It was the first time she'd ever seen f/t. It did take about an hour for her to come down off her perch, but I figured that was because she was someplace new. Once she came down, she ate it right up. She's eaten f/t for me every time since and now she eats FAST. I think they are generally easy to switch. :gj:

I only have one boa so I can only speak for him, but he was on live before I bought him, and he's had NO issue eating anything f/t that I've thrown at him. I love my good little eater :)

From my experience they are disposals

Easier. Way easier.

If it smells rodent-y and is remotely warm, they'll grab it as fast as you can offer. Hex has even grabbed at the tongs because they still smelled like mouse.

Awesome! Thanks for the responses guys and gals. I'll give it a shot next week when he's settled for good. :D

I can tell you on the very first attempt our boa took f/t after a diet of live... We fed smaller mice than usual so she got two. She took the two mice INSTANTLY with no hesitation on either one. Awesome! :gj:

It'll be a vacuum for you, mine is. LOL