Switch to f/t help

[Spike4179]

So I am a brand new snake owner this is the first snake I have ever owned so please dont give me hell. So I have a ball python that refuse to take f/t she is around a year and a half old and ive had her for about 8 month now. When I first got her I tried for over a month to get her to eat f/t but with no luck and by that time she seem to look skinnier so I caved and got her a live mouse. She took it down instantly with no trouble and she has eaten once per week up until last week. This is when I had my first problems she wouldnt take the rat. I waited until it got dark and she eventually took it down up until last week she did not care what time of day it was she would eat. Then leading up to this week I got the rat for her on monday and I tried monday night and tuesday night and she just wont take it. I am stuck as of right now I feel like I need to switch over but she is very stubborn and wont even eat if her enclosure is still open. Please help
Some side notes:
I am always there when she is eating she is never left unsupervised whilst eating until I know the rat or mouse is dead.
She has never missed a strike so she hasnt been bitten before.
The breeder said she ate f/t for them but it's possible they lied.
She is currently on small rats.
Just around 650g. Not sure of length.
I'll try to answer any questions as quick as possible.

[vivi]

Husbandry?

[Spike4179]

She is currently in a 35 gallon plastic tub that I have drilled holes into for proper airflow. She has a thermostat regulated heat pad for the hot end. She has 2 hides one on warm end one on cold. I use zoomed forest floor substrate 1/4 inch deep. She has a semi small/medium water dish. I have another thermostat and hydrometer inside her enclosure. She has a nice amount of fake foliage and rocks. Average temperature on hot end is right near 97 average temperature on cold end is mid 80's. Tell me if I missed anything

[Jakemh91]

When giving the F/T, how do you present the rat?

[Bodie]

You need to cool down that hot end for sure... 97 is too hot. Shoot for upper 80s (88-89). Your cool end low 80s. I keep my BPs at 88 hot, 81 cool.

[Spike4179]

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You need to cool down that hot end for sure... 97 is too hot. Shoot for upper 80s (88-89). Your cool end low 80s. I keep my BPs at 88 hot, 81 cool.

Thanks for the advice I'll make the change. Oh and hot end I meant the actual heat pad not the temperature sorry for not making that distinction. I'll make sure to keep the entire hot end temperature high 80's

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When giving the F/T, how do you present the rat?

I would heat it up with a blow dryer until it reach around 100 degrees then present it to her and make it do a little jiggle. The only response I got out of her was she would defensive strike it.

[vivi]

97 is WAY too hot. Where's your thermostat probe?

[Spike4179]

97 is WAY too hot. Where's your thermostat probe?

I misspoke the heat pad is set to 97 the hot end is in the high 80's. Sorry

[CALM Pythons]

Hot spot floor needs to be between 88-92.
Cool side 78-82.
Youve been feeding a Ball Python every week and its getting older.. all mine stop eating every week at a year or so.. this is another reason you see people posting abour Ball Pythons going on feed strikes, they dont need to eat so often as adults. Most are best at every 3-4 weeks after 1.5 years old. People that feed whenever a snake eats usually end up with them going off for 4-6 months at a time. My older snakes go off every year even though they only eat once a month a proper sized Rat..
Wait a month and offer again, dont keep trying. Refusal can become habit forming.


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[Spike4179]

Hot spot floor needs to be between 88-92.
Cool side 78-82.
Youve been feeding a Ball Python every week and its getting older.. all mine stop eating every week at a year or so.. this is another reason you see people posting abour Ball Pythons going on feed strikes, they dont need to eat so often as adults. Most are best at every 3-4 weeks after 1.5 years old. People that feed whenever a snake eats usually end up with them going off for 4-6 months at a time. My older snakes go off every year even though they only eat once a month a proper sized Rat..
Wait a month and offer again, dont keep trying. Refusal can become habit forming.


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Ok thanks a ton. I'll try taking a longer break next time