Seamless transition to rats.. question

[Whittney32]

Well last night was my first attempt at feeding rats instead of three mice and it was a success. Of course I made some mistakes which I want to correct before next feeding.

I dont think feeding frozen in an option.. for one I have no where to keep them and two he seems to like ones that move more. How can I safely introduce a rat? I really want to try and steer away from killing it myself but if it is absolutely necessary Ill have to.

Here is a pic that I finally got after weeks of being unable to hold him. I know its terrible but he wouldnt stay still and its off my phone. His head is just off camera.

[Whittney32]

anyone?

[dr del]

Hi,

I just keep mine on a seperate shelf of the household freezer - if you live with others it's considered only sporting to at least warn them first.

I'm afraid I only feed F/T but a quick search should find lots of threads on feeding live - it can be done prefectly safely if a little preparation and thought is used by all acounts.

A good starting point is using the right size of rats - the general feeling is that a small rat (around 30-50g ) every 7 days is enough for even an adult snake. Feeding too large a prey item not only intriduces more risk of injury it might cause the snake to go on a fast to recover from overeating. Smaller regular meals seem to work quite well for most people.

Making sure the prey animal is as stress-free as possible should also help. Some people recomend introducing it at the furthest end of the cage from the snke and handing it a treat to chew on.

Make sure the snakes enclosure has a clear area in front of his hides if possible so the snake can get a good clean strike from ambush position.

Prescent the room so the snake knows what is coming and is all set up to feed.

Never leave a live rodent unattended (aside from pinks/fuzzies which cannot harm a snake at all) in the tank and if the snake is not hungry and shows no intrest after 30 minutes remove the rodent and try again next week.

On that point always have a container ready to house the prey if it is not eaten with food and water to keep it healthy. That way it can last until next feeding day with any luck.

Now of course everyone who feeds live can come in and totally school me on how it should be done.


dr del

[Whittney32]

thank you for your reply! He currently lives with my boyfriend and they would be disgusted with any rodents in the freezer.. so I have to stay away from that lol.

My pet store offered to kill the rat for me, but im not sure Ill be able to get it home in enough time.. Any ideas on how long it will stay warm?

Ive got to feed again tuesday so Ill try to give the rat a treat.

Dont some people hold a live rat with tongs too? That prob stresses them out though too. Hmm..

[nevohraalnavnoj]

thank you for your reply! He currently lives with my boyfriend and they would be disgusted with any rodents in the freezer.. so I have to stay away from that lol.

Lol, c'mon he's a guy! We're not disgusted THAT easily!

JonV

[nevohraalnavnoj]

My pet store offered to kill the rat for me, but im not sure Ill be able to get it home in enough time.. Any ideas on how long it will stay warm?

Dont some people hold a live rat with tongs too? That prob stresses them out though too. Hmm..

It won't stay warm very long, but then you can re-heat it with a hair dryer on its head as well.

Yes, I have seen people who feed rats live hold behind the scruff of the neck with tongs. That should work.

JonV

[Whittney32]

Yea after I posted this I saw Adam's feeding video and I noticed he does it. Ive got a few options to try now at least. Thank you! :-)

[anendeloflorien]

Yeah I am interested in this also as I am setting up some rat breeding tubs and I'm getting my breeders from Kara at NERD tomorrow. I've always fed F/T mice to my BP and I want to make sure that the transition to live rat fuzzies/juvies goes smoothly. What is the best way to do this?

[drew5337]

All I did with one of mine was offer it. She has a voracious feeding response, and would eat every other day if I let her.

The other one took a lot of work. I finally have her eating rat pups by scenting them with mice bedding I got at the pet store, and jiggling them by the tail a bit in a pair of tongs in front of her hide entrance. (I feed F/T only)

Keep a bag a frozen rats in a large pizza rolls box. Works like a charm. If your BF can't stand having bagged frozen meat in his freezer tell him to sack up a bit