Switching from Rat Pups to Mice

[Tat2Guy]

So since some of you know I have a feeding issue with my BP Spaz. With rat pups they dont' move around so much so I noticed they go up to them, smell them, poke them with their noses, then move up to the head/neck then bite/coil.... No since i tried to use a live mouse with Spaz he tried to do the same thing until the mouse ran, then he got into a defensive ball. How did you all make the switch... did it happen naturally or did you have to use a fresh killed mouse/rat?

[989josh]

I don't see a lot of people switching from rats to mouse not sure why you want to( more of a ? Not trying to be rude) but you can try put them both in a more confined space


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[Marrissa]

When mine were that size if they didn't eat the pup, I tried again a few days later. Eventually everyone ate them (after much staring over them). And when feeding live I have the weaned ones that run right up to the snakes and scare the crap out of them. I usually shoo the rat away then leave in for a few minutes more. Certain snakes will get back to food mode once the rat is away from them and others are too "traumatized" by their meal touching them I have to try later. I'd say wait till next feeding day and try again.

Josh- a lot of breeders start BPs off on mice because the size they move around at is smaller and more appropriate for hatchlings than a weaned rat. Some BPs just need that prey movement.

[Tat2Guy]

I don't see a lot of people switching from rats to mouse not sure why you want to( more of a ? Not trying to be rude) but you can try put them both in a more confined space


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The main store that sells live rat pups has a sign in their window that say "closed until further notice" and my snakes don't like f/t... My breeder buddy gave me a new place to go but they have a 20$ minimum... That is like 10-15 rat pups, for 4 snakes LOL... so its just simple for me to run down to petco, grab 4 feeder mice, and come home for them to eat. I may have to go buy a female rat, and some pups, so the pups stay alive for a month...

[Tat2Guy]

When mine were that size if they didn't eat the pup, I tried again a few days later. Eventually everyone ate them (after much staring over them). And when feeding live I have the weaned ones that run right up to the snakes and scare the crap out of them. I usually shoo the rat away then leave in for a few minutes more. Certain snakes will get back to food mode once the rat is away from them and others are too "traumatized" by their meal touching them I have to try later. I'd say wait till next feeding day and try again.

Josh- a lot of breeders start BPs off on mice because the size they move around at is smaller and more appropriate for hatchlings than a weaned rat. Some BPs just need that prey movement.

Yeah its been a week, been trying daily. He is just shy... He has warmed up a little, I can pick him up without a strike, and he unballs after 2 mins vs 10... So i think a few more days he will eat... I left the f/t fuzzy mice in with him, so i'm hoping they will be gone before long... If not ill have to either throw em away tonight, or re-freeze if possible.... Love my picky eater! (I have a 2 year old and 5 year old daughter, i'm used to picky eaters LOL)

[bcr229]

Yeah its been a week, been trying daily. He is just shy... He has warmed up a little, I can pick him up without a strike, and he unballs after 2 mins vs 10...

Don't try daily or you just stress him out. Give him a week with minimal handling, only enough to change his water and clean up if he makes a mess, snug hides, and proper temps & humidity. Then try to feed.

As for leftovers... you now know why I also have boas and king snakes.

[Tat2Guy]

LOL, ok ill leave him be until next week... He is the smallest snake I have. He is the only one i own that is in the 90-110g range. My other male and 2 females are 130-150g and all born about 6 months ago... He will eat soon enough I am sure I also am thinking about moving him into a smaller container. The tubs I have them in are 3x bigger than the tubs the breeder had... So I may just find a smaller tub and move him into it. Its fun to figure out snake psychology

[Tat2Guy]

So I got some smaller F/T Mice at the pet store and left it in with him last night. He was in his hide and I litterally left it right outside the entry to his hide. My daughter wanted to play with Mr. Dinker so I got him out and checked on spaz. I didn't see a mouse! I didn't want to open the cage or anything but the mouse is no longer infront of his door for sure!


Ill do some investigating later because I don't want a dead mouse rotting in his cage if he didn't eat it. but all signs are pointing to him eating!