Hey everyone, I've been trying to get my yearling ball python to switch from live to frozen fuzzy rats since the middle of December. She showed absolutely no interest until just today, when I was using the tongs to make it look alive. She struck at the mouse a few times but did not seem to REALLY want it. Then next thing I know, she was striking at the tongs, and then my finger (I have the bite marks to prove it). So my question is, how do I get her to take the mouse and NOT my hand? And not be afraid of the tongs.

I have soaked the mouse in hot water to increase the body temp. It just seems like the snake doesnt like that something is holding its food. It has been sitting in its feeding container in her strike position for like an hour now just staring at the mouse that's in front of it. No way I'm grabbing that snake right now haha.