Some tricks I've learned about feeding F/T.
1) Zombie dance - moving the rodent around as if it was alive. More later down.
2) Make sure it is WARM but not hot enough to burn the snake
3) You can touch the snake with the rodent (to get the snakes attention) anywhere but near the head. Touching near the head can make the snake recoil and be afraid of the rodent.
4) Don't let the snake get its head too close to the rodent. This is different than YOU touching the snakes head with the rodent (item 3). If the snake is inquisitive and gets really close to the rodent (close enough to almost touch it with its tongue) sometimes they decide they aren’t interested and it’s ‘game over’.
5) Play ‘catch me if you can’ with the rodent. That is to say, when the snake comes closer to the rodent, move it away! This will peak the interest of the snake and it will investigate further. This also shows the snake there is nothing to be afraid of. Continue this until the snake actually strikes. I’ve had better luck this way than moving the rodent in one place, allowing the snake to slowing approach the rodent, only to decide it didn’t want it. If it strikes and coils, it will eat it.
6) Finally, rest your forceps/tweezers on the edge of the tub/snake container and as you move the mouse around, lightly tap the forceps/tweezers on the edge of the container. This seems to heighten the snakes interest.
These tips don’t always work, but they are what I’ve found useful.
Remember – sometimes they just don’t want to eat and want to be left alone.