Best way to switch from mice to rats

[LadyByrd]

So, I just picked up some rats for my bps and was wondering what the best way to switch them from mice to rats is. I have read that some bps don't like to eat mice and am trying to figure out how to make the transition.

Thanks

[Slim]

Honestly, the best way to switch them is to throw the rat in there and let them do the rest. No sense in sweating over a problem until it is one. While some BPs are life long mousers, the vast majority will wreck an appropriate sized rat with no issues. Personally I think most feeder rats have more of a scent to them than most feeder mice, and I find that stimulates the feeding response and has them smacking the dog snot out of them in no time flat.

[LadyByrd]

Thanks Slim! I kind of figured as much, but just wanted to make sure. Love being a first time snake owner. Gives me new "stuff" to learn about.

[sho220]

Scenting...it's as easy as taking a little mouse bedding, or even a tiny piece of newspaper (it doesn't take much) that's been in with mice and putting that in the corner of their tub for a few minutes. They'll usually come poking their head out after a short time. Once they are out looking for the mouse, pull the 'ol switcharoo and present the rat. You can even up your odds by rubbing the bedding or paper on the rat. Usually works pretty well...

[LadyByrd]

Scenting...it's as easy as taking a little mouse bedding, or even a tiny piece of newspaper (it doesn't take much) that's been in with mice and putting that in the corner of their tub for a few minutes. They'll usually come poking their head out after a short time. Once they are out looking for the mouse, pull the 'ol switcharoo and present the rat. You can even up your odds by rubbing the bedding or paper on the rat. Usually works pretty well...

So, since I feed f/t, will it help if I rub the f/t rat with a f/t mouse before feeding?

[sho220]

So, since I feed f/t, will it help if I rub the f/t rat with a f/t mouse before feeding?

I feed f/t as well and I've done that many, many times and it usually works like a charm...

[Pythonfriend]

or you could do it the frankenstein way. connect a frozen-thawed mouse and a frozen-thawed rat with a surgical suture using bio-degradeable thread.

just kidding, would be too much work.

but then.... when someone has a 3000 grams chronic mouser female that needs 10 mice per week and all else fails....

but seriously, first thing to do: just try. creativity is only needed when that fails.

[smalltimeballz]

If they won't take a f/t rat at first, try live and after a couple of meals, switch them back to f/t. Although, this might backfire on you and have you pulling out your hair.
Case example:

My pastave, Happy (nick named "Stupid")
He started out on live hopper mice but eagerly took them f/t. I tried to switch him to rat pups... scenting every way imaginable. Only managed to get him to take one by hiding a f/t mouse behind it (that only worked once!). The little ****** still preferred mice.. so I fed him mice until 300g and offered a live weaner rat that was housed with mice fuzzies on the trip home. Bam! He ate the darn thing. And started eating live rats. But he won't touch f/t rats... and right now he isn't eating at all. He's my frustrating, wanting to pull out my hair case.

But I've switched 2 others from mice to rats. With my pinstripe, she had no problems and eagerly accepted rats... her problem was f/t (but she still switched).
With my bumblebee, he would take f/t mice right off the bat, and was like my pastave...except once he took his first live rat, that was it. He was a rat eater f/t or live.

Ball pythons are like picky 3 year olds lol