Tips to convert to frozen?

[Haller413]

I'm new to the hobby and received my first bp last Tuesday. He's a one month old BEL and I'm in love. I gave him a week to adjust and attempted to feed yesterday. Previously his breeder had been feeding him live hopper mice, however I'd like to convert to f/t. I fed him at night, heating up the frozen hopper for around two hours in warm water. I placed the bucket next to his tank so he could smell it. When the mouse was ready, I doused it in hot water for ten seconds and offered it to my bp. He alternated between sniffing and hissing it, taking a few strikes that either missed or seemed to be defensive. After half an hour I left the mouse at the entrance to his hide overnight. He wanted nothing to do with it.

Should I attempt the same thing next week or do something different? Did I not wait long enough? Like I said, I'm pretty new to the hobby and while I've done my research, I feel that advice from those who are more knowledgeable never hurts! I'm also not opposed to feeding live to get him started, but I really would like to get him on f/t.

Tank specs:

10 gal
Hot side temp ranges between 85-95 degrees F
Cool side temp usually around 75 degrees F
Humidity comfortably between 50-65 degrees
He has two hides, one on each side, a heat mat on the hot side, and a water bowl on the cool side.

Thank you you for taking the time to read this! Any advice is appreciated!

[SDA]

I would let him settle in before drastically changing diet and feeding habits. One week is hardly long enough to acclimate a ball python to a new environment. It might also be best to feed him live until he is settled in because form your brief description it sounds more like stressed defensive posturing than anything.

[Haller413]

Thank you for responding so quickly! I'll make sure to let him be for another week before tying again, and if again there's no success I'll attempt feeding live.

[slseals1969]

It sounds like you're trying to feed a wet mouse also, if so you might try thawing and heating inside a Ziploc and feeding dry. I was able to switch mine over three days after I got her through FedEx. Now she doesn't care, wet/ dry, butt first or folded in half, she gobbles em up like candy. I don't have personal experience but have seen posts that some snakes won't touch a wet mouse.

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[Quahog]

Not sure if you've successfully converted over, but this video helped me a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSX79DpN2b8

I got a BEL hatchling as well that was also on live mouse hoppers. I also left a F/T in my BEL's tub overnight and she did take it on the first offering. A week after I left the F/T, with the above method, she's striking and coiling like a champ, and eating regularly. Good luck!

[Vipera Berus]

I defrost my rodents for my danger noodle in lukewarm water and then use a hair dryer to dry and warm them. It works wonders for me, just taking extra time making sure they are dry has taken my male phantom past 1kg.