Advice on Feeding

[Hamsnacks]

So I am currently in the process of trying to switch my Jungle Carpet Python from Live Hamsters to F/T Rats.

Last time she ate was about 1 month and a week ago, but in between that month, she switched homes (4 hour drive) and then was in shed.

2 Nights ago I tried feeding her a thawed Rat but was not successful, she went near it, smelled it but then slithered away. I'm not concerned with how I prepped the rat or presented it as I have experience with that.
I ended up leaving the rat in the cage and in the morning it was just moved over. So it went to waste.
The plan was to wait 2-3 weeks before trying again, get her a bit more hungry.

But today, I noticed during the day, she was doing the whole neck stretched to the top lid, and she was doing it tonight as well. A sign I usually get with my other snakes that they are looking for food.

So what would you guys do, try again with a rat today or wait another week or two? Obviously, her eating is my number one priority but at the same time I don't want to keep throwing out rats, about $10 each.
If you think waiting longer would be better, would it still be safe to hold her, as she might be hungry?

Thank you!

[Zincubus]

I've read that some get hamster bedding from a pet store and leave the rat to thaw in the bedding , maybe place over a warm place to speed up the thaw ...

If it's used to live hamsters it's quite a jump to thawed rats I'd guess .

Maybe a rat smelling of hamster will work . Make sure you feed in the evenings, dim lighting , warm up with a hairdryer and offer INSTANTLY whilst still warm , keep repeating until it's grabbed .. quite often they get more and more interested with each warm
up .... if it grabs and coils but just lies there you can gently pull the rats tail with tongs and that can trigger them into eating as they think it's escaping ..


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[Joelgriz8124]

Have you tried scenting a live rat ? I’m having trouble swapping one of my bps over from ft over to ft rat pups . One of my IJ carpets back in the day would only eat mice as well couldn’t switch her over no matter what I did. I think a lot has to do with how early you change hem over



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[Team Slytherin]

Definitely wait before offering again. Behavior is the least reliable indicator that it is time to feed. She is probably just exploring. I think handling is fine. If she was so hungry that you’re worried she’ll bite you, she would have eaten yesterday.

[Hamsnacks]

All great advice guys! Thanks a lot.

Guess we'll try again soon lol

[Phillydubs]

Why so much for the rats ??

$10?? That seems like a grip!

have you tried to look for cheaper bulk sources. ?

[Hamsnacks]

Why so much for the rats ??

$10?? That seems like a grip!

have you tried to look for cheaper bulk sources. ?

$10 Canadian for a colossal rat, that's what they go for here. The snake community isn't as big as other places are in the States.

So this snake better start eating lol or I'm turning it vegetarian!

[Prognathodon]

How big is your carpet? My Bredli is 2200-2300 grams and gets a medium or sometimes small rat, and my JCP is 1500 grams and gets small or medium rats, both are fed every two weeks, with occasional rabbit kits instead of rats.


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[Reinz]

A colossal sounds awful big for any Carpet.

My 2, eight foot Coastals with large girth only get XL rats. My slim 7 footer gets a large. My 6 foot Jungles eat mediums and larges.

Unless the previous owner of your Carpet fed colossals, I can see why he is refusing them. You might try starting with a medium and work up to Large if necessary.



Lizzy, Coastal Carpet (All In!).

[John1982]

$10 Canadian for a colossal rat, that's what they go for here. The snake community isn't as big as other places are in the States.

So this snake better start eating lol or I'm turning it vegetarian!

I don't know how big hamsters are up there but around here they're about the size of a large pup or small weaned rat. I think you'll have better luck sticking to similar sized prey when making the switch. It'll be a lot easier on the wallet too.