Do BPs change feeding habits?

Will a bp that is raised eating f/t meals suddenly switch to only eating live prey? I've heard that this can happen, and I don't really have the set up to deal with keeping prey alive if the snake won't eat them. Also I'd rather not feed live mice, but I can do it if I have to.

When you own a snake you MUST be prepared to feed what works and most importantly live if it comes down to it and yes it can come down to have to feed live.

Thanks for the response. Do you know how common this is? Also, what do you do with live prey your snake has rejected?

Most times when a bp is raised eating F/t they are pretty good about continuing toward feeding f/t throughout their life. Some differences are that sometimes when they eat mice they have a hard time switching to rats and a few times they can go off feeding for a short period as they mature and tend to do it in the winter months.

I think if you have a ball python with a good feed response they shouldn't switch from frozen thawed once acclimated to it.

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Originally Posted by Glass

Thanks for the response. Do you know how common this is? Also, what do you do with live prey your snake has rejected?

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It's not a common occurance (since 2006 I had it happen with 2 different animals), the problem is that people tend to over-react when their BP goes of feed especially when it last longer than a month or two and tend to think that a change in prey item is the solution when usually it is about husbandry and patience.

Now of course if the fast last longer than 6 to 9 months, and no change helps the animal resume feeding live should be considered, same with very young animals failing to eat (You have a limited amount of time with younger animals to get then back on track)

I was feeding pre killed / frozen thawed for quite some time and I had several ball pythons that were on a 'fast'. I switched over to live and they all started eating. I don't think it's because they 'suddenly switched', I believe that live rodents are a more natural and readily accepted food source compared to a dead rodent. I don't believe that ball pythons are scavengers (eating other dead animals), they are predators born and bred to hunt and kill rodents. I think that's hard for people to comprehend since it's completely opposing our human nature. Best thing to do with extra rodents is to bring them back to the breeder / pet store or give them away to other local snake keepers. Or get another snake other than a ball python that will always eat your left overs.