At what point do we change prey species?

[Bellatrix_LeSnake]

We got a new little guy a bit over two weeks ago now and have tried pretty much everything to get him to accept a rat pup. He's as different as night from other ball - super, incredibly shy whereas she is pretty much the bp equivalent of a head cheerleader, so we have been leaving him alone for the most part to settle in. Before he came to us he was primarily fed on mice, but he did accept a couple rats for his breeder.

So far we have tried: the zombie dancing rat pup, putting the rat in his hide with him and covering his tub with towels to black it out, leaving the dead pup with him overnight, and most disgustingly pithing the thing's brain. We get not a flicker of interest to any of that, and in the case of the zombie dance, he actually freaked out and balled right up.

I realise that two weeks isn't really very long in ball python terms for eating, but he's very small still (132g) and really looks a bit skinny.His temps are all correct, his humidity is fine, he has 2 tight hides an a super tight paper towel roll that he's in love with. Do you think that it's time to try him on mice/gerbils? I'm pretty adamant that I don't want to start him on live unless at an absolute last resort because the nearest place to get it is an hour and a half away. Any other feeding tricks to try while I'm at it?

[The Serpent Merchant]

I honestly would try a live rat pup, I've found it to be easier to get a snake eating live rat pups to switch to pre-killed rat pups than it is to get a snake eating mouse hoppers to switch over to rats. But of course every BP is different.

Personally I would give live rat pups a shot then try mice. Chances are you might have to resort to live anyway so why have to switch prey as well if it isn't necessary.

[barbie.dragon]

My ball python won't eat f/t when it's wet. Strange isn't it? Try thawing the rat in hot water and put the rat in a ziplock so it doesn't get wet.

[FoxReptiles]

That sounds like a lot of things to have tried in just two weeks. He might just need a little more time to settle it. Maybe give him 5 more days without offering anything, then try the live rat pup.

You might just end up with a mouser. I've got one and she has NEVER shown the slightest interest in rats whatsoever. Hope that isn't the case for you though.

Good luck!

[Bellatrix_LeSnake]

Thanks everyone, I will give it a couple more days until I decide what else to get. Some of the things have been tried in the same feeding, i.e. braining followed by leaving it alone in the dark. He just looks so small that I'm concerned about accepting his little fast. I really hope he doesn't decide to only take live, as we do not have a reliable supplier in the area.

[FoxReptiles]

I've been able to convert all of our Ball Pythons to Frozen thawed. It can be frustrating for sure and several of my animals went over 3 weeks of refusing before they finally took their first F/T rat. There isn't much like the feeling you get when you finally get a stubborn ball python to eat or switch!

[PitOnTheProwl]

At that weight I dont ever try to convert them to anything other than what they will eat.
At about 200g I will try to switch to rats and may offer f/t.
Hopper mice will get him eating again but if he doesnt take it then wait a couple days before you offer again.