When to give up

[Andrew Larson]

When should I give up offering my ball prekilled rats in an attempt to switch him to f/t. He ate his last live meal a month ago and i have offered him 3 prekilled meals.

[monk90222]

I would keep going until he takes it. I just switched to all f/t after almost 5 years of feeding live. Some of my balls took up to 6 weeks of refusing until they finally took it....keep trying and make sure the rat stays warm enough so it registers as prey. Good Luck!

[Andrew Larson]

how long should I leave the dead rat in his enclosure with him?

[monk90222]

I dont let the rats even hit the floor. I grab them with hemostats either on the scruff of the neck or by the tail...I then jiggle the rats and that interests the snake.

[Andrew Larson]

So if he doesnt take it off the hemostats within like 5 minutes or so just throw the rat in the freezer and dont bother leaving it in with him?

[monk90222]

Thats what I do. If you leave it in overnight then the rat starts to decompose and you cannot use it for food anymore. You can tell by the snakes body language if it is going to take it or not....