How can i get ball python to eat f/t rats?

Shes always been feed live eats she almost a year old but i could never get her to eat frozen rats i need some help getin her to eat them


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Originally Posted by Sgpython

Shes always been feed live eats she almost a year old but i could never get her to eat frozen rats i need some help getin her to eat them


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They won't all switch.

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Originally Posted by Sgpython

Shes always been feed live eats she almost a year old but i could never get her to eat frozen rats i need some help getin her to eat them


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How are you offering them?

Um i defroze them in water nd then i heat em up with a blowdryer


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Originally Posted by Sgpython

Um i defroze them in water nd then i heat em up with a blowdryer


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I meant are you just tossing them into their tub like an old sock, or are you presenting them more naturally...on forceps or feeding tongs and doing a little zombie dance to entice them...

By the way..."defroze" is only a word in the "UrbanDictionary"...means taking out your bling...or something...

Yea i do shake em but with a pair of scissors not thongs


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Originally Posted by Sgpython

Yea i do shake em but with a pair of scissors not thongs


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Scissors? :confusd:

Thongs?:confusd:

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Originally Posted by sho220

Scissors? :confusd:

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Originally Posted by Craigaria

Thongs?:confusd:

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:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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Originally Posted by Craigaria

Thongs?:confusd:

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lol...details...sometimes they're important...:)

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Originally Posted by sho220

Scissors? :confusd:

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Originally Posted by Craigaria

Thongs?:confusd:

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Lmaooo:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Put the rat in a baggie and leave it out to thaw for at least a couple hours. Get a large bowl, fill it with the hottest tap water that will come out. Let it soak for about 10 minutes. Remove from the bag and use a hair dryer on it for a couple minutes. This dries it if it got wet and warms it up a little more. If you dangle it in front of the snake and he doesn't take it, put it in the hide with the snake. Turn out any lights (I feed in the evenings) and leave him be. Check in about an hour and see if the rat is gone. Leave it in the hide overnight if necessary. If he still hasn't eaten by morning, dispose of the rat. After a couple feedings like this he may just strike and coil. This has worked for me to switch them over. Usually takes 2 or 3 feedings.

Good luck!

@saber402 Thank you!!!


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As a Vet Tech I wouldn't switch her unless u have to. If she is happy with live and not having any problems then I don't see a reason to switch.

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Originally Posted by ticktock

As a Vet Tech I wouldn't switch her unless u have to. If she is happy with live and not having any problems then I don't see a reason to switch.

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People switch for numerous reasons including cost of live vs F/T, availability of live in their immediate area, and most importantly eliminating the risk of the rodent injuring the snake during feeding, to name a few. Switching to F/T presents no ill effect on the snake. Mine still strike and coil to "kill" the prey. They know no difference.

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Originally Posted by Saber402

People switch for numerous reasons including cost of live vs F/T, availability of live in their immediate area, and most importantly eliminating the risk of the rodent injuring the snake during feeding, to name a few. Switching to F/T presents no ill effect on the snake. Mine still strike and coil to "kill" the prey. They know no difference.

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Trying to get the snake to strike prey being held by scissors is reason enough for the OP to stick with live...then again, maybe not...good luck to that poor snake...:rolleyes:

A lot of them goes into how you prepare the f/t as well. If you ever watch any of my feeding videos then you'll notice mine will try to eat my hand if I open that tub and don't have a rat present.

I thaw them out naturally for a 4-5 hours. Then I fill a sterilite container up with hot water from the tap and then I put them in the hot water(still inside the ziploc bag) and I just open a bit of the ziploc bag so I can make sure all the air gets out. Then I reseal and leave that part out of the container and I put the top on. This helps to retain the heat. After that I let the water get cool and then I put everything on paper towels which is on a plate I never use and I put them under a heat lamp for 15-20 minutes. After that I hit them with a hair dryer to scent the room of rats then they're ready to go.

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Originally Posted by sho220

Trying to get the snake to strike prey being held by scissors is reason enough for the OP to stick with live...then again, maybe not...good luck to that poor snake...:rolleyes:

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My comment was directed in response to ticktocks post, certainly not the OP's methods. It is always amazing to see all of my BP's out of their hides after I have heated the first rat or two with the hair dryer. I even warm them up in a different room, but mine are all focused on feeding when I walk in the room. Just one of the reasons ball pythons are so interesting.

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Originally Posted by Saber402

My comment was directed in response to ticktocks post, certainly not the OP's methods. It is always amazing to see all of my BP's out of their hides after I have heated the first rat or two with the hair dryer. I even warm them up in a different room, but mine are all focused on feeding when I walk in the room. Just one of the reasons ball pythons are so interesting.

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Understood...sorry for the confusion. I'm still on the fence whether it would be better for the OP to stick with live or have his snake lunging for a rat dangling from the end of scissors...

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Originally Posted by sho220

Understood...sorry for the confusion. I'm still on the fence whether it would be better for the OP to stick with live or have his snake lunging for a rat dangling from the end of scissors...

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No problem! I agree on the use of scissors. I am hoping that was just an error in vocabulary!

I hope the o.p holds the sharp end and uses the handled end of the scissors to hold the rat.
That would work but it definitively isn't the safest way.

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Originally Posted by sho220

Understood...sorry for the confusion. I'm still on the fence whether it would be better for the OP to stick with live or have his snake lunging for a rat dangling from the end of scissors...

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and don't forget the op feeds in thongs. that's iffy at best! lol


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Originally Posted by coldbloodaddict

and don't forget the op feeds in thongs. That's iffy at best! Lol


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:)

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Originally Posted by coldbloodaddict

and don't forget the op feeds in thongs. that's iffy at best! lol


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Leather chaps for me...and nothing else...

Whats wrong with thongs?


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Originally Posted by Sgpython

Whats wrong with thongs?


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All depends on the wearer...

Awful lot more skin to get bit!

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a week ago on Saturday I got 7 new ball pythons. The last owner only fed them live. I just finished feeding them today and got 4 out of 7 to eat the f/t. I left the rats/mouse in the other 3 till tomorrow morning. I think all you need is patience. I waited 20 mins holding the rat for one of my guys till he got it.

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Originally Posted by Saber402

People switch for numerous reasons including cost of live vs F/T, availability of live in their immediate area, and most importantly eliminating the risk of the rodent injuring the snake during feeding, to name a few. Switching to F/T presents no ill effect on the snake. Mine still strike and coil to "kill" the prey. They know no difference.

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In agree people switch for many reasons. Was just saying that i wouldn't worry to much if you can't get them to switch due to how hard it is to get them to eat in the first place .

I mean feeding thongs not thongs that you wear 😭nd the reason im switching is because shes feeding on small rats and theyre getin prety big nd aggresive and poop all over her tub and it smells horrible


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Originally Posted by Sgpython

I mean feeding thongs not thongs that you wear nd the reason im switching is because shes feeding on small rats and theyre getin prety big nd aggresive and poop all over her tub and it smells horrible


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TONGS are used for feeding...THONGS are things that go up your butt crack...fyi...

Ya know wat i mean


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