SCORE bp ate for the first time for me today.

[Maverick67]

good tip i will do that.

[Animals As Leaders]

then when she attacks, then make sure you have a pencil ready just in case you need to shove it into the rats mouth if it tries to bite the snake

Yeah. Never leave a live feeder unattended. It could lead to one beat up snake. I would keep trying on the f.t. How exactly did you do it? And whats your set up like j.w? Sometimes picky eaters just need a few live ones to get there blood pumping lol. This is how I got mine on f.t. Just keep giving her the live, and then after like 10 feedings or so, just throw a f.t in the mix. Worked every time for me. I thought I had picky eaters until I tried this...

[Maverick67]

I haven't tried f/t but the previous owner had and he had informed me that she will not eat them.

[Animals As Leaders]

I haven't tried f/t but the previous owner had and he had informed me that she will not eat them.

Don't go by that...

I just throw the rat into a small critter keeper I got laying around full of the hottest water my tub makes. Wait an hour or so, and change the water so its nice and hot again. I offer and they take it. I used to take rat and double bag it in zip lock bags so it stayed dry during the thawing process. Sometimes I think they get distracted by wetness of it, idk...But definitely give it a go its a lot easier and convenient. I also like it because you don't have worry about your snake getting beat up a little.

P.S When offering don't just pull the hide off of him/her and dangle it in front of there face. This can stress them out. I usually leave them in there hide and make it seem like its scampering around the cage. Always use about a 6in buffer zone, and try to make the snake hunt it down. I think it helps when they are used to live.

[Maverick67]

Speaking of rats wounding youur BP if it does happen what should be used to treat the wound. Would regular neosporin be ok to use or would it do more harm than good? It has not happened yet but it would be a good to know.

[Kyle@theHeathertoft]

My "picky eaters" all eat f/t, I too have had success by just not taking away their hide. Jayne, my Cinnamon, will poke his nose out of his hide whenever the lid on his tub is opened...he strikes from his hide and pulls his prey back into it.

He's a discreet hunter.

[rabernet]

There's no reason that you HAVE to switch to F/T if you don't wish to. I've fed over 10K live prey - and I've never had to use a pencil or other object to "protect" the snake.

[Maverick67]

well that a plus i do kinda like to watch her hunt.

[Maverick67]

anyone know a feeder supplier in ct around Hartford area

[rabernet]

Speaking of rats wounding youur BP if it does happen what should be used to treat the wound. Would regular neosporin be ok to use or would it do more harm than good? It has not happened yet but it would be a good to know.

Yes, a little neosporin (without pain reliever) is all it needs if it's a minor scratch. Anything serious needs to be seen by your vet. However, if you feed appropriately sized prey (IE, not too large), the chances of significant injury are very small.