Risk of feeding ASF rats?

[BaierBalls]

So I have heard it is risky to feed Ball Pythons ASF's due to the fact that after having one of those, they may turn their noses up at regular rats. How true is this?

All my snakes are regular rat eaters...but I bought a breeding trio of ASF's a few months ago and needless to say I have quite a few now. Would like to feed a few out, but definitely don't want to have to feed ASF's on a regular basis. Have any of you had your rat eaters refuse normal rats after just 1 or 2 feedings on ASF's?

[bsash]

I haven't personally, but that happened to a buddy of mine. I guess the most accurate answer is that it is possible.

[mechnut450]

it possible to happen so far been lucky I only got one that pickie and that cause he wants live only. other wise The snakes don't give a rat what they get which is nice since asf tak so long ot raise up to feeder size bythen they almost ready to breed. ( gone from little-no babies this winter to having about 100 from just young ( just bigger than hopper mice) to those just born this week and i got 3 tankslike this . I am not setting up lab cages for a couple 1.2 combos for a rotating set up. Then I may convert the larger 2 tanks into grow outs for females and males ( food source for the snakes) and possible replacement for aged adults.

[A.VinczeBPs]

I had a het. pied female that I bought. She was fed on live (mice), and after we got her she refused eating. We even tried live, she refused.

So we gave her ASF's. She took to them right away. We didn't want to risk her not eating again, so we fed her ASF's for 5 weeks (5 feedings) until she seemed at a much better weight.

We tried feeding her f/t rats again....she took to them right away as well. She's been a good eater since.


We've used ASF to kick off feeding before with males as well, it always works, and they always go back to rats again after.

[Danounet]

Well one of my males never did strike at an ASFs. Only mice and rats. The other BPs would eat what ever I gave them.

[BaierBalls]

So, for most people it hasn't been a problem getting them back on rats after feeding ASFs a few times?

[Danounet]

So, for most people it hasn't been a problem getting them back on rats after feeding ASFs a few times?

It wasn't a problem for me. I dont like the idea of F/T too much and I hate going to the pet store to get feeders every week. I'm actually thinking of starting to breed ASF again lol...

[snakesRkewl]

I feed asfs and then rats and then asfs and so on, haven't had one stop eating rats to only eat asf's yet.

I did pick up a snake that had only been given mice, it wont touch rats, but devours asf's.

I've heard the rumor also, just doesn't seem that way with my snakes.

[Vypyrz]

I've never had to use ASF's, but a few months ago there was a guy in my area selling a Pastel on CL. He claimed he was selling the snake because it only ate ASF and he didn't have a steady supply, so I guess it is possible that some will take only ASF. I have also heard the same thing about hamsters and gerbils...

[pavlovk1025]

I've never had to use ASF's, but a few months ago there was a guy in my area selling a Pastel on CL. He claimed he was selling the snake because it only ate ASF and he didn't have a steady supply, so I guess it is possible that some will take only ASF. I have also heard the same thing about hamsters and gerbils...

I bought that pastel...it just doesnt eat at all it seems lol.