Switching from live mice to F/T rat pups?

I might be picking up a young (150g or so) BP locally soon. He's been fed on medium live mice since he hatched. Feeding live in general is really not my preference, so I'd like to try and switch him over to an appropriate sized F/T rat. I figured I would pick up some frozen mice, heat them up really well, and try and do a convincing enough zombie dance to see if he takes. I'll try and move to rats if he starts taking F/T mice. Getting the food items nice and hot with a blow dryer worked really well on my shy feeder albino. Her prey response was really great after that and has been ever since. :)

Does this sound like a good plan? Is there anything else I should try?

Sounds like a plan also switching from live mice to live rats might be easier and then once he eats rats switch to F/T, but you get the idea it's one step at the time.

I had a lot of trouble switching my BP to f/t. I tried everything anyone had ever suggested to me. Heating it in water, using a blow dryer to the rats head, dragging the rat on the bottom of the cage, dangling it, and basically everything else you can think of. Out of options, I decided to put the thawed rat (in a sandwich bag) in a sink and let hot water beat on its head for about 5 minutes before dragging it in front of my BP. She took it right away and has missed few feedings since! So if you run into problems, give it a shot!

I have never had much of an issue switching little ones. Adults are a different story they sometimes just won't.
Feeder temp makes a big difference I actually check them I target 100 degrees f about the normal body temp of a rat.


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Originally Posted by Deborah

Sounds like a plan also switching from live mice to live rats might be easier and then once he eats rats switch to F/T, but you get the idea it's one step at the time.

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I didn't actually think of that. I wasn't sure if switching species or live to F/T was more difficult. I'll keep that in mind though. Live feeder rats of an appropriate size are a little harder for me to come by but I can probably try live rat pinks if I need to.

Just try a f/t rat pup first. You never know, he might take it right off the bat. Little ones do tend to switch more easily just because they take pretty much anything you shove at them.

I have never had a problem switching my new ones over. While every snake is individual, it has been my experience that most will accept f/t as long as it is presented properly. I have had several that were on live and took f/t right off the bat. I would just give it a try, see how he does and go from there.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...123_203538.jpg

Seems like I didn't have much to worry about :D He took the first thawed rat pup I offered. It took a bit of convincing zombie dancing but he went right for it.