switching from live to f/t

[fishmommy]

I am so frustrated trying to switch my baby BRB from live to f/t. She's refused week after week and shows absolutely no interest in the f/t prey.
I've tried
-zombie mouse dance
-leave in overnight
-puncture skull
-heat with hair dryer after warming in water

I've talked to the breeder about it and he said my parameters are all good.
79F, 95% humidiy, shoebox tub, hide, swimming dish.
Feeding fuzzy/hopper mice.
The BRB has shed perfectly in my setup twice, and pooped regularly when eating. I am not handling.

Any advice/ideas?
Anyone have a story of switching their boa or BRB?
thanks

[LOSTCOAST_BALLZ]

puncture skull that sounds fun LOL. I am glad u posted. I will be attempting the switch soon with my bp

[fishmommy]

yeah, it was gross. I guess the idea is the smell of brains drives little snakeys bonkers. didn't work for me - she just seemed offended by it.

[Vypyrz]

When she refuses the f/t, do you go ahead and offer live? If you do, it might be time to try some tough love if you haven't tried that...

[fishmommy]

nope, she's gone without now for a month.
I'm seriously getting ready to cave and offer live again though

[LOSTCOAST_BALLZ]

yeah, it was gross. I guess the idea is the smell of brains drives little snakeys bonkers. didn't work for me - she just seemed offended by it.

comedy!

thats my worry as of now i feel like my lil guys are growing so fast on there 5 day schedule of live that if i switch to F/T they might lose weight lol. maybe just nerves. but my wallet is steering me in that direction.

[Vypyrz]

Are you pre-scenting the room, using tongs, and holding the prey by the scruff of the neck?

[fishmommy]

Are you pre-scenting the room, using tongs, and holding the prey by the scruff of the neck?

yep!

[Vypyrz]

I'm running out of ideas... About the only things I can think of now, that I remember people suggesting is:

-Feed a live prey, and after they've swallowed it, and still somewhat in feed mode, offer a f/t. Apparently, this is supposed to get them used to eating f/t and after a few weeks they should be able to make the switch. But since it sounds like your BRB is still small, it might be too much food, unless you try fuzzies.

-I've also seen people suggest dipping the f/t in tuna juice...

I haven't personally tried either of those two methods, so I can't vouch for their validity. Some snakes just refuse to switch. I hope you find something that works...

[loonunit]

-Feed a live prey, and after they've swallowed it, and still somewhat in feed mode, offer a f/t. Apparently, this is supposed to get them used to eating f/t and after a few weeks they should be able to make the switch. But since it sounds like your BRB is still small, it might be too much food, unless you try fuzzies.

This is my usual method. It works well on hungry hatchlings.

Older snakes are harder. I will offer live, but only 1/2-sized live prey, and only every other week. And then I dangle a big fat f/t in front of them and say, "see, this what you COULD be eating! You dumb snake! ARRGH. Look, I'm giving it to your girlfriend."

It's worked on all my hold-outs, but sometimes it takes several months. And it's not something you want to do with a very young snake (who has no extra body weight) or on a female you're bulking up for breeding.