Switching girl to F/T from live?

Just wondering, if you do get her and f/t doesn't work out, what will you do? Are you going to be prepared for the possibility of her refusing and not eating for months on end because you are uncomfortable offering live? And she looses weight in the process? What if assist feeding doesn't work out? What if that's the ONLY way she'll eat?


Best case scenarios can work out but you really have to be ready for worst case scenarios the most. Don't just hope it all works out without taking failures into account. Always plan for the worst but hope for the best.

I just really think you'll save yourself from a lot of headaches if you get a different bp that's already on f/t. More like her will show up don't worry. No need to rush on a decision you could regret. Both for your sake AND her sake.

That seems really selfish to me. Are you going to let her starve if she won't take f/t? The snakes needs should come before your prefences.

I completely agree :sigh2: But I would never let her starve! Worst case scenario, I'd offer live. I'd would not let her starve. :/ I just said I'm very strongly against it.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

I completely agree :sigh2:

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your opinions on feeding live really don't matter, because this isn't about YOU.

Yellow was my first beep, and he was started on live. he came to me weighing 90g and took almost a month to eat f/t. he ate, but it was an uphill battle with him for almost two years: so inconsistant, losing weight. i was so close to starting live feedings even though i didn't want to, but we stuck it out i think one more month and he managed to eat a couple times. i worked out a routine with him and kept on my husbandry, and 2 years later he's almost 900g now (i think, haven't weighed him in a bit), almost 3 years old, and does very well although still kind of picky.

the point of my story is: sometimes things can happen where the snake just won't eat despite your best efforts, and it is your responsibility to give the animal every possible chance to thrive, which includes resorting to live prey. i say don't let the possibility of the animal not switching put you off of getting a pet you really want, because the snake isn't who needs to change; it's YOU.

yes live feeding can suck for you, but it's something you gotta accept in this hobby. :)

i hope my little anecdote helps you. you're not alone with not wanting to use live prey, but remember who we're dealing with: stubborn lil beeps. :P

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

your opinions on feeding live really don't matter, because this isn't about YOU.

Yellow was my first beep, and he was started on live. he came to me weighing 90g and took almost a month to eat f/t. he ate, but it was an uphill battle with him for almost two years: so inconsistant, losing weight. i was so close to starting live feedings even though i didn't want to, but we stuck it out i think one more month and he managed to eat a couple times. i worked out a routine with him and kept on my husbandry, and 2 years later he's almost 900g now (i think, haven't weighed him in a bit), almost 3 years old, and does very well although still kind of picky.

the point of my story is: sometimes things can happen where the snake just won't eat despite your best efforts, and it is your responsibility to give the animal every possible chance to thrive, which includes resorting to live prey. i say don't let the possibility of the animal not switching put you off of getting a pet you really want, because the snake isn't who needs to change; it's YOU.

yes live feeding can suck for you, but it's something you gotta accept in this hobby. :)

i hope my little anecdote helps you. you're not alone with not wanting to use live prey, but remember who we're dealing with: stubborn lil beeps. :P

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Thanks, I know it isn't about me. I just was wondering what efforts people take to get their bp eating f/t happily :). I think it's worth a chance, maybe she'll eat great with f/t, or maybe I'll have to feed her live. I understand. I just want to give her what she needs to live a content life :) I'm sorry guys I really didn't mean to come off sounding like I'd never feed live and she has to eat what I want her to eat, that's not it! Yes, I'd defiantly prefer her to eat f/t, but if she needs live, I'll provide it for her :)

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Thanks, I know it isn't about me. I just was wondering what efforts people take to get their bp eating f/t happily :). I think it's worth a chance, maybe she'll eat great with f/t, or maybe I'll have to feed her live. I understand. I just want to give her what she needs to live a content life :) I'm sorry guys I really didn't mean to come off sounding like I'd never feed live and she has to eat what I want her to eat, that's not it! Yes, I'd defiantly prefer her to eat f/t, but if she needs live, I'll provide it for her :)

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sometime it's better to err on the side of caution here and make those kind of assumptions. we just wanted to make sure you understood that this is about the animal. :cool:

take the chance on the animal you really want! i'll bet you a donut you can turn any live feeder. ;)

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Hi! Since my blue tongue skink plan failed, I am looking into a another ball python! I have 2 girls in mind I found on MorphMarket, but they are both on live. I DO NOT want to feed live!! 1 because I've grown up having mice / gerbils, and it's just so sad :( 2 I know it can do real damage to the snake. I know my Geno was on live at one point, but he's now taking F/T like a champ. Any stories on switching to F/T? How and is it possible? Thanks!

(One is less than a year, the other is 1 year old. If that helps :))

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Thanks! :) Do you think it's worth getting her? Or should I just look for a girl thats already eating F/T. I just don't want to take a chance that it won't work. I really am against live :( Can all bps be switched to F/T, or is there some that just won't ever eat F/T and only accept live?

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Thank you! :) That really helps. So if she doesn't get going on the F/T, I'll just assist-feed :) Is it ok if I do that like after the first-second feed? I don't want to even offer live :hmm:And also, I know this isn't related but, I'm kinda confused about one of the girls I like. She's a year old, and 60g? She looks healthy though :confusd: Could she be a twin..?

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Thanks, I know it isn't about me. I just was wondering what efforts people take to get their bp eating f/t happily :). I think it's worth a chance, maybe she'll eat great with f/t, or maybe I'll have to feed her live. I understand. I just want to give her what she needs to live a content life :) I'm sorry guys I really didn't mean to come off sounding like I'd never feed live and she has to eat what I want her to eat, that's not it! Yes, I'd defiantly prefer her to eat f/t, but if she needs live, I'll provide it for her :)

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I'm a bit concerned that for the majority of the thread you have been clear that you don't want to even offer live but suddenly now you're fine with it? If you are still truly against live but are still banking on her switching, I advise that you don't get the snake. However, if you truly changed your mind and are willing to do live (potentially for the snakes entire life) then go for it. Just be REALLY sure that you are willing to do it.

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Originally Posted by Kira

I'm a bit concerned that for the majority of the thread you have been clear that you don't want to even offer live but suddenly now you're fine with it? If you are still truly against live but are still banking on her switching, I advise that you don't get the snake. However, if you truly changed your mind and are willing to do live (potentially for the snakes entire life) then go for it. Just be REALLY sure that you are willing to do it.

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Seconding this. Make absolutely sure you are ready to commit to this!

Yeah, tbh when I started the thread I was not wanting to feed live, at all.. and I was looking how others may have switched their bps over to f/t from live. But, I'm understanding it's not what I thought. I thought it was easy to switch them to f/t. But I definitely understand now it's not like that lol. And I think I am willing to take the chance! To get the bp I love, and feed live. I know I'd get over it. I'm just worried about it hurting her, because I've seen what the rodents can do and fight back. But if someone could reassure me about that, I know I'd accept feeding her live :)

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Yeah, tbh when I started the thread I was not wanting to feed live, at all.. and I was looking how others may have switched their bps over to f/t from live. But, I'm understanding it's not what I thought. I thought it was easy to switch them to f/t. But I definitely understand now it's not like that lol. And I think I am willing to take the chance! To get the bp I love, and feed live. I know I'd get over it. I'm just worried about it hurting her, because I've seen what the rodents can do and fight back. But if someone could reassure me about that, I think I'd accept feeding her live :)

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all three of my beeps started on live, and i switched them all. Coffee Bean switched with her first feeding with me, two days after she arrived. it's not always a pain to switch, but it can be.

proper live feeding practices ensure the snake will do just fine with live feedings. this includes never leaving the rat in the enclosure without supervision, and other practices that have been covered in this thread i've dug up. give that thread a read. i do not feed live, so i hope the thread i've provided helps.