Burmese Python (Strange Feeding?)

Bought a baby 175 gram Ivory Granite Burmese Python in October.

Breeder said he was feeding on F/T rats from tongs.

So after many failed feeding attempts of trying F/T and fresh killed rats
off tongs and and leaving in the tub overnight I tried live. Also
hes never tried to stike.

Anyways it worked but the issue I have is that it literally takes
a minimum of 30 minutes up to an hour of him staring, following,
and nudging the rat before he finally strikes and eats.

So hes eating but Im concerned that soon when the rats are the size
they are able to hurt him I will have issues feeding.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I do plan on trying to skip a couple feedings and try fresh killed
but I have a feeling it wont work.

Thanks again.

I'd keep him on live pups for another two feedings, wait a few weeks for him to get good and hungry, then offer a f/t pup.

He will transition eventually, some snakes are just more stubborn about it.

Also if you can find someone who breeds rabbits offer to buy any stillborn kits as feeders. They're about the right size and I've had a few babies take rabbit kits while refusing rats.

He does eat. Again last night he took a live 30 gram rat but
it took him 40 or so minutes to finally strike.

Do you think if I tried other prey he would maybe take it quicker?

I just really dont want to switch him to rabbits or chicks while I can still
feed rats because of the prices.

So basically skip feeding him for a couple weeks and try F/T or fresh killed?

I have a fail proof method for animals that don’t want to eat. I don’t make them! I always start by making sure my husbandry is dialed in and the snake isn’t sick. Beyond that if I want a snake to eat something then that’s all I offer unless the snake starts losing a lot of weight, which has never happened for me. Whether that’s transitioning from live to f/t or from mice to rats my system is the same. In this case your snake has eaten f/t before and is eating live now albeit hesitatingly. I agree with BCR. Wait 2 weeks and offer a f/t rat pup. If he doesn’t take it from tongs leave it overnight. If he refuses twice then space the feedings out to every three weeks. If he refuses twice space the feedings out to once a month. If he refuses this feeding then offer him one very small live prey item which he’ll certainly eat. Then start the process all over. My stubborn critters usually give in after 3 months except for those darn BPs, they can go forever. I doubt your burm will take very long to get on track. The hunger ALWAYS wins.

Sounds good and thanks for the replies. I was just concerned because
it took 5 weeks to get him to take his first meal.
Just thought it was odd it takes him at least 30 minutes to strike live prey.
I will try what you said and see what happens.
Thanks again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Iron_Man

He does eat. Again last night he took a live 30 gram rat but
it took him 40 or so minutes to finally strike.

Do you think if I tried other prey he would maybe take it quicker?

I just really dont want to switch him to rabbits or chicks while I can still
feed rats because of the prices.

So basically skip feeding him for a couple weeks and try F/T or fresh killed?

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I’d feed in the evening in low /dim lighting

Thaw the rat in the snake room so he gets the scent well in advance... then give the rat a ten second blast with a hairdryer then offer it (INSTANTLY) whilst it’s still warm using long tongs or place it on a plate or piece of card in the viv .


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All my snakes get confused even running into the rat if it isnt 100 degrees... i have to smack my Burm with a Rat thats under 90 degrees for him to realize thats the prey even though he smells it. They rely on their heat pits and can actually bypass a Rat on tongs that is to cool and go for your hand because of the way they sense the preys heat...
also with some pics we can tell you if his size and body comp is good enough to let him play the game...the best thing you can do like already mentioned is to wait him out. A healthy Burm will not starve themselves. Ive waited 6 months to switch a snake over... to this day all mine eat frozen.


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