Tough love with hatchling? Switching to f/t?

[RobertsKitty]

I have a juvie ball python (born May 11) that came on live mice. I got her switched to rat fuzzies (she is only 90 grams, planning on sizing up after getting switched on frozen). I offer her first frozen was early last week but she was all blue with shed and refused. I waited till she shed (Thursday) then offered again today. Still refused. I thaw in a ZipLock in warm water then when thawed hot water from the tap. I do not own a hair dryer. Should I heat water on the stove?

She smelled it but no strike. I do not currently have tongs so I set it in and use a long screwdriver to make it move and wiggle.

My question is at her size and weight how much tough love can she handle? Should I wait till she's older to switch? My friend has gerbils. Should I bring some bedding to scent it? I left the thawed fuzzy on the hot spot when I left about 3 hours ago.

[vangarret2000]

Switching from live to f/t can be super tough sometimes. Sometimes it can be simple.
One of the biggest things is not giving up to fast. It could be weeks and weeks of refusal before they take it. If you stop trying and give them the live mouse again it just teaches them that of they wait long enough they will get the prey want. An adult can go months off food with no issues so waiting it out isn't always a problem.

Thing is your snake is still really young. Going off food that young can still last a long time but I wouldn't recommend stretching it out like an adult could handle.

You have started trying so give it a few weeks and see what happens. But if it doesn't take it I would say go back to live and wait until it is more established before trying again.

In the meantime don't do the gerbil scenting. Don't boil the water either. Just running hot tap water is good enough. If water is too hot the prey will just bust open anyways. Soak it in warm water to get it defrosted and warm then before feeding run it under hot water from the tap a few minutes to kick up the temp a little more. Just let the water mostly hit the head and back though and it will give a less chance of the belly busting.

Also if you don't got tongs get some. Dangling it will help.

Feed late at night so the snake is more awake.

I have had success with the bate and switch technique but that can be really hard to do at times because snakes are so fast.

[RobertsKitty]

Went ahead and tossed the uneaten fuzzy. I just checked my records and her last meal was the 1st. She then refused a frozen on the 7th acc completed her shed Thursday. Should I give her live or try to wait it out?

She's only lost one gram of weight so far.

[vangarret2000]

If you are monitoring her weight that is good. If it was my snake I would keep trying until a few more grams were shed. But also wouldn't go on too long because of the age. There is no exact answer you just gotta try to balance it in your own way. If you feel she will be ok going longer go ahead. If you feel it is too much of a risk to wait it out then don't. It kinda depends on the health of the snake.

Personally I think most people give up too soon with reptiles when it comes to changing eating habits but it's still their choice.

[RobertsKitty]

She was exploring this morning so I tried again without luck. I think I may scent the next frozen with mouse bedding to see if she will take it. She doesn't even seem to realize it's food yet. I know she switched straight to rats with scenting.

[DooLittle]

She is a hatchling, feed her what she will eat until she has some size on her. Then try to switch. Go back to the live mouse hoppers.

[Navaro]

I'd have to agree with what the other's have said. Due to her age, I'd just get her eating period. If she will take something else.

Get her eating then try offering something else. If your quick you can always attempt the ole' bait and switch!

[luxuriouswhite]

Get some tongs for sure if you dont have any. I have got multiple babies that had their first few meals on live and got them to switch to f/t first try easily. Some BPs might not take though. But for ur best chance, Thaw out rodent, heat it up nice and warm, present it right in front of the snakes face while grabbing the rodent by the neck or back(not dangling it by tail) and shake it lightly. If it doesn't take then try tapping the side of its body gently with the rodent(not near the head) to entice him. If that doesn't work throw in a live mouse hopper till she gets a little bigger then go back to the tough love method. Good luck!

[BiggBaddWolf]

I thaw all my rodents out in a small freezer bag. Just put the rodent in the freezer bag then put the bag in hot water, and let it thaw. You may also want to use something to hold the rodent in the water, I use an old cup. I prefer that way because the rodents don't get wet...

[RobertsKitty]

What is a good size to start the tough love?