Switching from mouse to rat

You're welcome. Don't forget to post a thread here if you are comfortable giving a general location. Quite a number of our BPNet members breed their own mice, rats and ASF's. You might find that someone from here is close enough to you to work something out for a regular supply.

I switched my bp over to f/t rats from live mice in about 2 feedings. We actually couldn't get her to eat at first when we brought her home. We had to scent the mouse with gerbil bedding. The next time I just offered her a rat and she snatched it right up. Since then, I have tried offering her mice as I still had some in the freezer and she completely ignores them. Once I switched her to rats, she has been the easiest thing in the world to feed.

Franky is right though, get him good and hungry and he'll probably take whatever you put in there.

I don't feed her in her enclosure anymore because of her tendency to screw around and fling the rats around trying to take the tail first. They get all slimy and the substrate sticks. Since I started using the feeding tank, I never find her acting aggressive in her forest tank when I try to take her out anymore.

Good luck dude.

it would be nice if mine switched so fast...

I started on mice (breeding my own) when I first got him. Ran outta mice and decided to try rats... My four other snakes switched just fine (they arent bps) and he went on a hunger strike for three to four months. I tried f/t, a feeding bin, covering all sides of his viv with paper, live baby rats, itsy bitsy day old rats, even left a lil fuzzy eyes not open rat in there with him.. nothing.. I got mice from the local store, they were white and female... nothing.. so I drove the 45 min to the next closest pet store and got a variety of mice.. something had to work... well he decided he was hungry when I put a male black and white mouse in there. After a few feedings I snuck a female mouse in and he took it..

Since all my other snakes eat rats I would like to switch him to rats. And the rats get to feeding size quicker than the mice..

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Ain't that the truth. I'm trying to get one of mine switched to F/T. He will take anything live. I've tried all the tricks but no luck and I usually end up giving him something live. But no more. The waiting game has begun. He is into the 35-45g rat size now and those little buggers are ferocious. Most of the time they don't even notice the snake because they are trying to chew through the feed tongs. Then once he bites and constricts I have to pin down the rats head under the chin so they won't bite. That is just too much hassle, especially since my other one takes F/T no problem. I know snakes are not dogs but to quote Cesar Milan, " I am the pack leader. I'm not being agressive. I'm being dominant" Good luck getting your guy switched over...


Rob

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Rob, I had a similiar problem with my 2 snakes. I was so fearful that the rat would bite my snake. I have solved this problem, when feeding, I knock the rat in the head, just hard enough to immobilize, yet not kill it. My girls will watch for a few minutes, then strike, as the rats legs, etc. are still moving. This may also help with switching to f/t. I don't consider this cruel, I am only trying to protect my girls!
Gool Luck!

Although brutal, it's not truly cruel--as long as you strike surely, the rat is knocked unconscious and feels no pain.