Feeding live rodents in a rack system...

[cchardwick]

Does anyone here feed live rodents to ball pythons in a rack system? I have several stubborn females that have been fasting and are close to breeding size and I was wondering if I could get them to eat if I fed live. I have them in a rack system but was wondering how to do it. I tried to put the rat in a few tubs with the tubs opened but the snakes seem to be a bit bashful and they still don't eat. I've seen people go down the rack just popping in live rodents and closing the tub, seems like you would want to check on them after so long to make sure they are OK? Not sure I'd leave the rodents in there without checking for more than 5 or 10 minutes? How do you do it?

[ElliotNess]

I feed live in a rack system. I dangle a rat and they go after it. You have to be persistent. If they aren't taking it, wait a few days and when hungry try again.

[dustin860]

I feed live in a rack and have zero issues . I pop the rat in and wait for the thump . I don't leave the rat unattended though . I've found my snakes have a wonderful feeding response in the tubs


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[Stewart_Reptiles]

Open tub - drop rat - close tub - repeat

Once done open tub - check - retrieve rat if not eaten

I do that by groups

Breeders

Sub-adult & holdbacks

Hatchlings

Been feeding well over 25000 live rats and mice without issues.

[cchardwick]

Well you're not going to believe it, I have three female ball pythons that have been fasting for about six months. I haven't been able to get them to eat fresh killed rats or mice and I've been trying every week. So I popped in a medium rat into all three tubs then went out and fed the dogs and came back in. All three ate their rats! They are all about 1200 grams, I'm thinking I may be able to get quite a few rats into them all and try to breed them in a couple months! Thanks for the advice!