First rat feeding not going to well

So I tried to feed my bp her first rat pup today she smelled it and checked it out for awhile but would not take it. So i am leaving it in the cage and she is nudging it and laying her head on it, but wont eat it. lol Is this normal behavior? Also I tried to do fresh kill how long should I leave it in the cage, and will she eat it even if it starts to get hard and looses the body heat?

Leave it over night, if she doesn't eat it you should try on the next feeding day.

She was on mice, correct? You can try scenting the rat pup. Just rub a mouse on it or let it roll around in soiled mouse bedding for a bit. Also, you don't need to p/k a rat pup to leave it in overnight. They won't hurt your snake. That said, you'd be fine if you left a p/k or f/t overnight, however, if it isn't eaten by morning you'll need to pitch it.

Soon as it started to get dark here she came right out of the hide and ate it.

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Originally Posted by jmitch

Soon as it started to get dark here she came right out of the hide and ate it.

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Good to hear. Now she knows how yummy tasting rats are and in the future may very well be more apt to strike at it as soon at it is presenting. I'm sure she will be at your beck and call the next time feeding day comes around!

Worry not!

It's good to hear she ate it but it almost sounds like initially the f/t wasn't warm enough for the BP. I have a picky BP that will strike and squeeze but then has a hard time getting the head or staying interested because during the squeezing process the f/t cooled off a little. So, I have to carefully fish the f/t out, reheat the head, and try again. He has been striking right away and then eating but he is so picky when it comes to f/t body temps. My other two would probably eat if the f/t was at room temp...they are beasts so far when it comes to feeding. However, like already mentioned, once they get a taste you should be good to go.