Live to thawed

[rlditmars]

The way I've always done it is this. First, are you letting the prey item completely thaw first before you are submerging them? If not then do so. Then you want to make certain you don't have the prey item too hot or too cold. Normal temp of a rat is 99 to 100 F. Use water that is a little warmer then needed but only submerge the prey item about 5 minutes or so. When you handle the prey item it should feel a little warm but not super warm as we are almost the same natural temp.

As long as your snake is eating regularly and is an appropriate weight, then you may try stretching the time between feedings when you are attempting F/T. You want to get her good and hungry. Try offering her one after waiting two weeks and use an item that is maybe a size down from what she is taking live. So if she is eating smalls, try a weanling. If she is eating weanlings, try a pup. When you attempt to feed her make it late in the evening as they are naturally nocturnal so night time is there hunting time. Also look for her to be in a hunting mode. By this I mean out and about in her enclosure where she looks to be actively hunting food.

When you present the prey item try to use tongs that don't have large tips, again so the presentation isn't overwhelming to the snake, and hold the prey item by the scruff so it appears to be in a normal attitude of a live rat. Move it at a low angle like it is walking toward her. If she doesn't take one after two weeks then give her smaller size live animal and wait another two weeks and try it again. Remember in the wild these snake are opportunistic feeders which means they may go long stretches between kills and then may catch two or three prey in a short period. Also the are prone to fasting as adults so extended periods of time between feedings wont hurt them. Just monitor her weight and see that her body tone doesn't start to degrade.

All that said, some animals will never switch. But it doesn't hurt to keep trying. Best of luck to you.