Mice to Rats...My female BP wants nothing to do with this change

[humpee316]

Today was the first time i attempted to feed my female BP a small rat.And i have to say she was quite disinterested in this new meal..She just completed a complete shed two days ago and hasnt fed for 8 days.by ,the way i have only fed frozen/thawed food.up until today she would take 2 full grown mice every 5 to 7 days.shes a few inches shy of 3 feet with the girth to handle a small rat.Is there a secret to making this switch in food or do i continue feeding multiple mice for awhile longerr,any ideas and opinions would be greatly appreciated... thanks to all

[llovelace]

You may have to give her a live one. Just wait til the next feed day to offer.

[bones93]

Sometimes by taking a F/T mouse and rubbing it on the rat for about 15 seconds and then feeding that will trigger a response. Usually after a few times they will take the rat with no scenting. Hope this helps you out.

[ballpythonluvr]

As was already mentioned, perhaps you should try a live rat or just try rubbing a rat in some soiled mouse bedding, sounds gross I know. Some snakes are just mouse eaters. I have had BP's that would only eat mice and that was just fine with me as long as they were eating.

[KushBall16]

i am dealing with the same exact problem!! it is so frustrating.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Switching can take time (weeks, months) and tough love, which is not a problem if your animal is healthy and has a good body weight.

I finally switched THE most stubborn of my animals to rats she is an 06 and after a 6 months fast she finally switched to rats, I have attempted the same in the past and it never worked but this time it did.

Shows it's not impossible

[humpee316]

Well first of all thanks to everyone for their input with this Mice to Rat thing....Unfortunately my Jazzmin is a Strict Mouser..She still wants nothing to do with a rat, so mice it is...My last attempt failed and she acted like i was trying to feed her a cow...acted like she was scared of it..so out of the freezer came a mouse,after thawing and warming..lowered into tank and BAMM...the way she took it was like she hadnt eatin in weeks..made short work of it and within 10 minutes took another one..case closed..I will probably try rats again down the road but like a previous poster said,as long as she eats whats the difference

[stupidcracker00]

I will probably try rats again down the road but like a previous poster said,as long as she eats whats the difference

Lol the price. I'm having the same problem. My bp hatched in May and she has put on quite the weight by feeding on 2 adult mice every 6-7 days. I just find it to be more convenient and cost efficient to have her feeding on 1 rat instead of 2 mice. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

[Zedd]

I was lucky. My bp only went on a 3 week fast before finally taking a rat. I tried again last night and he tagged it right away, but the rat somehow got free ( no damage to my guy ). After getting free, my bp wanted nothing to do with it again. I will try again next fedding day.

[deadsmiley]

get a rat pinky and rub it in some mouse pee then leave it in the enclosure over night it should be gone by morning. im saying a rat pinkly because it cant hurt your snake