How to switch my ball python(s) over to frozen food?

I have 5 ball pythons and one is eating f/t rodents, 3 are eating live rodents, and I just bought one from LLLreptile 3 weeks ago and hasn't eaten the f/t mice I've offered so I'm kind of assuming she ate live. ANYWAYS. I want to switch them all over to f/t but they won't take it. I've tried everything but the problem seems to be that the snakes just KNOW it isn't alive, and therefore don't want it. I've tried braining, I've tried chicken broth, switching from mice to rats, leaving it in their tubs over night, EVERYTHING. and nothing is working. They eat live rodents like there's no tomorrow but they just won't take f/t. Someone please help. Need suggestions. Thanks!

My first guess would be the temp. They need to represent a live rodent and they have high body temps, around 100F. How are thawing and warming the prey?

I put the mouse in a plastic bag and leave it out for about an hour until it's soft and then I run it under hot water (still in the bag) for about 10 minutes. Then I test it on my wrist. And it's usually... Warm. Not HOT. I'm always worried that if I get it too hot the rodent might explode, cause I heard they can do that if it gets too hot. Well.. Not explode but like break open I guess

Usually a rodent that is going to explode does so when struck and constricted. It can be from over soaking or just a rat that's not quite fresh or just a super strike. I have had it happen a few times but my snakes have always still eaten it. I wouldn't worry to much about it.

I would suggest submerging the prey in the hot water for about 20 minutes so the whole rodent warms thoroughly. I use the hottest water from my tap I can get. I thaw in warm water which for all the rats takes about 30-45min and then I drain the water and put fresh hot water for another 15-20mins to get them super warm.

You would be surprised by how fast they cool so you need to start warm. Its always better to present it a bit warmer than natural opposed to cooler.

Also a tip is to give the head a squeeze and make sure you dont feel any cold spots. Also do this in the stomach.

I have tried for almost two months to get all of my snakes on f/t with no luck. I tried prekilled with some luck and thats it.

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Originally Posted by Masonic

I have tried for almost two months to get all of my snakes on f/t with no luck. I tried prekilled with some luck and thats it.

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What has been your process?

Just my two cents. I put my frozen rat pups in a cup run hot tap water through about a min, fill to the the top and let sit about 30 min. I then drain water and run the hot tap water again for about a min or longer. I then stop the hot water at the rim of the cup go over to the tubs, pick up the rat pups with tongs and jiggle them in front of my Bp's nose. At times it shys away but I continue to jiggle the pup water dripping and all. My Bp will smell it and strike. Other times I just put it in fromt of his nose and it strikes instantly. I always shake the rat with the thongs once its coiled aswell to make sure it holds on to it. Lastly I feed in the evening or night. Hope it helps.

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Originally Posted by StormHerper

Just my two cents. I put my frozen rat pups in a cup run hot tap water through about a min, fill to the the top and let sit about 30 min. I then drain water and run the hot tap water again for about a min or longer. I then stop the hot water at the rim of the cup go over to the tubs, pick up the rat pups with tongs and jiggle them in front of my Bp's nose. At times it shys away but I continue to jiggle the pup water dripping and all. My Bp will smell it and strike. Other times I just put it in fromt of his nose and it strikes instantly. I always shake the rat with the thongs once its coiled aswell to make sure it holds on to it. Lastly I feed in the evening or night. Hope it helps.

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Good deal. That's about what my process is but its hard to fit a XXL rat in a cup. :gj:

I leave my rats in the water in the sink and pull out a couple at a time so they stay warm for presentation.

I leave the rat in a bag for about a half hour to 45 minutes. Then run it under hot water for about a minute and a half and try to feed.

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Originally Posted by Masonic

I leave the rat in a bag for about a half hour to 45 minutes. Then run it under hot water for about a minute and a half and try to feed.

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That's not long enough to really warm it up to present a life like heat signature.

Try submerging it in hot water for 15 minutes then feeding.