Can BPs not like mice or rats?

[Rusky]

I first tried f/t pinky rats, she didn't eat them.
Then I tried a hopper mouse, she ate it.
Then I got a rat pup and she just crawled on top of the pup and totally ignored it.

Could she just not like rats or maybe she isn't hungry for one reason or another?

[AliCat37]

She may have been raised on mice and not recognize that the rats are food. You can try scenting the rat with the mouse.

[Rusky]

She may have been raised on mice and not recognize that the rats are food. You can try scenting the rat with the mouse.

What is the easiest way to do this? If I buy a live mouse I don't have any supplies to keep it alive for a week if the snake takes the rat. Or should I buy frozen mice, defrost one and rub it on the rat pup?

[EverEvolvingExotics]

I would ask a pet store for soiled mouse bedding. If you are using F/T just thaw out your rodent with the soiled bedding. That will make a rodent smell delicious to a snake. Make sure you are heating up your rodent enough as well as feeding at night. Both of these will raise the chances of your snake feeding effortlessly. All of mine eat whenever I try to feed, but when I have acquired a new snake I generally feed at night. They are more alert and it's when they feed naturally

Good luck!

[Rusky]

Could I leave the rat in the tank overnight? I feel a little bad leaving it the cardboard box haha. This way there is a chance my bp will take it.

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[decensored]

I have a couple BP's that wont take hooded rats and will only eat ASF's.

And no, I wouldn't leave the rat/mouse in the tank overnight. They can attack/ hurt the snake.

[rabernet]

I have a couple BP's that wont take hooded rats and will only eat ASF's.

And no, I wouldn't leave the rat/mouse in the tank overnight. They can attack/ hurt the snake.

Except that this is a rat pup. I've put soiled mouse bedding into the snakes enclosure before, then when they are actively looking for a mouse, drop in a rat and they take it.

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[scc_583]

I have two ball pythons that will not touch a mouse, but takes a rat in 5 seconds. Also have a boa that is scared to death of a live rat. He hides from it and he is 6 feet long. Different strokes for different snakes I guess

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[Rusky]

Any suggestions on what to do with the rat pup if my bp doesn't eat it?

[Egapal]

Take the rat back to the pet store. I highly recommend that once your snake is eating prey that can easily survive on its own, you get a 10 gallon tank or make a tub that can keep your live prey. It will cost you less than 50 for a tank, screen top, water bottle, food and bedding. Then when you have a missed feeding you just have another animal in the house for a week. If you can't do this I would try getting your animal on F/T. When you are dealing with anything smaller than a weanling you have little choice but to return it or euthanize it and freeze it.