BP won't eat rats?

[Megg]

I have a male BP that's about 3 1/2 foot long. I'm not sure how much he weighs (I need to buy a scale), but he's big enough around to be eating small rats, if not medium. I feed F/T, usually 2 or 3 mice at a time. I've tried to feed him rats but he takes one look and goes into his hide. Any ideas as to why he does this, and how to switch him over? I had a hard time getting him to eat for the first 6 months I had him, and eventually started blow drying his food until it was slightly warm to the touch and haven't had him refuse any food (except rats) since then. I believe he was hatched January of 2012.

[J&A exotics]

You could try feeding smaller rat like a rat wealing and scent it with used mice bedding heating5up sane way with a blow dryer

[Eric Alan]

There are certainly a few things you can try, and the above member mentioned one of them. The reality is, though, that some BPs (for whatever reason) can get imprinted on one type of food and will refuse to switch to something else. This is a big reason why most people get them eating rats early on, as they become a more efficient prey item as the snake grows up.

[MattyN]

My female ball pythons have all converted early on to rats, but for some reason my male is also hesitant in accepting rats. Scenting I know works for finicky feeders, example gecko feeders in colubrids, so my suggesting would be to just keep trying by scenting the rat with mouse fist of all.

[Albert Clark]

Don't worry and keep giving them what they want for now. As long as they are eating is the bigger thing. You can always try to give something different at another time or when a different feeding time is due. These snakes are captives and the least we can do is feed them what they like to eat. When they want a rat you will be the first to know. I used to sweat over it and then a light bulb went off and I stopped forcing the issue. Good luck and relax as long as he is taking in food! You can start by trying him with a jumbo mouse in the next couple of weeks and see how that goes first.

[Megg]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll try a rat again next feeding day. I've been wanting to get another BP but I'd like to get him on the right track first.

[midgard]

Mine sometimes takes his food into his hide. He is on small rats and is probably around the size yours is. I would try feeding live but with a smaller rat like a weanling or pup. Good luck.

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[couscous74]

I have a BP that won't strike outside of his hide. On feeding day, if he's outside of his hide when I open the rack up to feed, he won't strike. He will explore all around. And once he decides it's food, the dashes back into his hide to get ready to ambush the F/T rat. I usually close the rack, feed someone else, and come back to offer the prey item into the hide entrance. Then it's a lightning quick strike before the head fully enters the hide.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Switching is about tough love, if the animal does not eat what you offer than try again the following week and the one after that without offering anything else if it does not eat.

This require the animal to be of a good body weight as it could take MONTHS with no food before switching.

And remember males do not require medium rats a small rat weekly for a male is way more than enough especially if you want an animal feeding with consistency.

Of course you need to take in consideration that not all of them will switch either and there is nothing wrong with that, if that is the case feed what works.

[Megg]

Thanks everyone! I'm not too concerned about him at this point, as he's very healthy and eating regularly. It would just be nice if he would switch over I appreciate all the advice!