Trouble converting to rats

Cass just won't go for them.
Hes on jumbo mice at the moment, every 6/7 days. F/t. Here in the uk it's not allowed to feed live, so that's out of the question.
I know he can easily take a weaned rat, maybe a little bigger but he won't.
Ive tried zombie dance, leaving it overnight, warming it up with mouse, getting him interested, left both.
He will take the mouse within minutes every time.
Tonight he's had two jumbo mice, enough gap between each one.
Will he ever switch? Is it essential he does? I guess cheaper, one item each feed rather than several, is that the only reason it's best to switch?
kath.

Some are just mouse eaters. Have you tried skipping a feeding?

They don't all switch, but when it comes to switching prey type it's about tough love which obviously requires that the animal is of good body weight allowing the animal to go without food for a good while.

If the animal does not take the prey offered than nothing else should be offered than the following week same thing again.

I haven't seen a healthy snake starve itself to death yet. Eventually the hunger will win if you stay the course until he gives in, which could take months. It's tough though because we love our animals and want to see them strong and healthy. You can also just accept him as a "mouser" and be prepared to feed him 3-4 jumbo mice per feeding as an adult.

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Originally Posted by Kath

Is it essential he does? I guess cheaper, one item each feed rather than several, is that the only reason it's best to switch?
kath.

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It's not super essential. Rats are easier for the keepers for the reasons you said...one food item.

Males don't need a lot of food. I think you could probably do fine with one jumbo mouse (35g to 45g) a week, and he'll still skip meals.

My adult male (about 2350g) is a mouser and gets about 5-7 mouse each meal. It would be much more convenient if he'd take rats, but it's not essential.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kath

Cass just won't go for them.
Hes on jumbo mice at the moment, every 6/7 days. F/t. Here in the uk it's not allowed to feed live, so that's out of the question.
I know he can easily take a weaned rat, maybe a little bigger but he won't.
Ive tried zombie dance, leaving it overnight, warming it up with mouse, getting him interested, left both.
He will take the mouse within minutes every time.
Tonight he's had two jumbo mice, enough gap between each one.
Will he ever switch? Is it essential he does? I guess cheaper, one item each feed rather than several, is that the only reason it's best to switch?
kath.

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It's easier to switch trouble makers if they're feeding off tongs. Sounds like you just leave the prey in the enclosure and he eats up the mice? If so, start offering off tongs with a bit of action until you get him striking/constricting regularly. Then it should be easier to pull a bait and switch. Make sure the rat is the same size as the mouse. Scent the rat up real good with the mouse. Offer mouse as usual but stay just out of strike range - using it to get him into feed mode. Offer scented rat in strike range. Alternate between the two, keeping him interested with the mouse, until he hits the rat.

My two, 2 yr old Coastal Carpets were on live mice when I got them. And to be clear, 2 yrs old when I got them. The previous owner said they wouldn't eat rats.

I had immediate success doing what others have just said above.

I waited an additional two weeks past their normal feed schedule. This was to be sure they were settled and really hungry.

Since I had two hurdles, Frozen switch AND Rats, I did this as well:

I picked up a few frozen mice from my rat guy and placed them in a ziplock with 2 frozen rats. Massaged them all together for a minute to mix the scents. (This was a week before feeding)

On feeding day I fed a mouse first, followed by a rat. Making sure the heads, shoulders, and haunches were 90-100 degrees.

The snakes never hesitated, and haven't since.

Good Luck :)


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I do use tongs, he will strike pretty much right away with the mouse, but not the rat. I'll try skipping a few meals and keep trying.
Thanks guys, Kath.