Little Mouser, Tips for Switching to Rats?

[WarriorPrincess90]

Hello Everyone!

So, I have a 2010 male BP who only weighs about 400g. He is completely healthy, albeit a little on the small side. This I attribute to the fact that he is a hardcore mouser. I can not get this snake to switch to rats. I've tried scenting, but is there something else I can do? Both of my other snakes are on rats and are thriving. This guy's picky eating paired with the fact that I would really like him to gain some size and personally hate mice, are driving me nuts.

Any suggestions for a way to get my picky little mouser on to rats?

[KatStoverReptiles]

I've had success with warming the rat up in the same bag as the mice and taking a warm rat an mouse and rubbing them together, especially the head area of the rat.

I heard somewhere (buy have never tried it) that a couple drops of tuna juice works? I'm doubtful but I thought I'd pass it along.


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[jsmorphs2]

Not sure if you've tried live but I'd offer a live rat crawler that has spent some time in slightly dirty mouse bedding. It may seem like a really small meal but it's less intimidating than a weaned rat climbing all of over the snake. Also sometimes it takes trying each method a few times before one works.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Pick out a healthy crawler rat that is about the same size as a mouse, and rub it thoroughly in mouse pee. (Mice usually use the corners of their cage as a latrine, so find the wet spot, and rub it in good).
It's gross, but this heavy scenting usually does the trick.

If it doesn't, then use a little 'reverse psychology'...rub his next mouse in soiled rat bedding. If he takes that, then try it the other way around again.