Switching from live to frozen food

[reptilemama38]

We recently rescued a 5 year old ball python. He has always eaten live food. Our other snakes are quite happy with warmed up frozen rodents. Any suggestions on how to switch this new python over to frozen food?
Thanks!

[stevepoppers]

Ok, I don't have experience myself, but there's this thread and in it, this guy seems to have absolute faith that any ball can be switched.

[A.VinczeBPs]

Ok, I don't have experience myself, but there's this thread and in it, this guy seems to have absolute faith that any ball can be switched.

Girl. And with time, patience, and effort, any can be switched. Some are more stubborn, but they all get hungry eventually!

[stevepoppers]

Mightn't they starve themselves to death? Brian Gundy's mentioned that some go off feed during breeding season and never go back on and die.

[A.VinczeBPs]

Mightn't they starve themselves to death? Brian Gundy's mentioned that some go off feed during breeding season and never go back on and die.

Never try to switch a male that has just finished breeding. You only switch a healthy animal so they can take a little fast. If body weight does drop too much, you may have to try assist feeding. However, with a healthy ball python, I've never had to do so just because it would not eat a F/T meal.

[reptilemama38]

So basically, you're saying just don't give it live food again, and keep offering if f/t. It won't let itself starve to death? I can do that...

[A.VinczeBPs]

So basically, you're saying just don't give it live food again, and keep offering if f/t. It won't let itself starve to death? I can do that...

Unless it's weight drops exponentially. I say only offer F/T to healthy balls. If they become unhealthy, feed a live, and a F/T right after. This usually works. There are many ways to get a ball python to take F/T.

[saber2th]

I have gotten three of my balls to make the switch. I just have to do the same with my new Pastel. I just thaw the mice out and when thawed, I place the mice under a inferred light bulb for a few minutes so the snakes can pick up on the body heat as well as the scent. It has worked great for me!

[reptilemama38]

Awesome...thanks! I fed Stryker a live mouse and then a nice hot f/t and he gobbled it right up. I've been so worried about feeding him, and it was no problem at all! Our other ball python was so finicky when we first got him, and he never had live in his life! This guy was easy, and he's never had f/t before!

[reptilemama38]

Thanks! F/T are so much easier - I usually buy them in bulk at the reptile shows. My mother almost died when she opened my freezer!! :-) Now they stay at a hotel when then visit. Bummer...NOT!