Switching from live to F/T

[kidsnakedad]

I've made three attempts to feed my snake a F/T mouse. No go; twice he completely ignored it, once he played with it for a minute, then ignored it. I thawed 'em, warmed 'em, had them dance the tango in his cage, but he just would not go for it. I checked with the breeder (LLL Reptile in San Diego), and they say he would have been fed live mice while there. So, I want to make sure there's a feeding in his new home, then try again to get him to take a F/T.

My question: Can someone who has successfully converted a juvenile BT from live to F/T give me some tips on how to do it? Thanks.

[Freakie_frog]

There are a few ways to do this. The mouse may not be warm enough try heating up more if that don't work. Try refreezing in and thawing it. The smell is worse but it lest the snake know its a mouse. Also try leaving it alone in the cage with him. I put mine in acloth bag with the mouse and put the bag back in his cage. leave him be for like an hour. Try that first.. Also have you concidered the fact that he may not be hungry. They can go weeks even months with out food and never suffer. if he gets hungry enough he'll eat

[Brandon.O]

maybe try pre killed and then switch to frozen thawed, maybe that will be an easier transition. I feed pre killed becuase i could never get my girl to eat frozen thawed.

[EyeLashViper]

I admit that I have not had a whole lot of success in this feeding prekilled or frozen thawed thing...I am afraid that I must be the red headed bastard stepchild of this forum as I am still feeding live to my snakes. I have had all kinds of sad stories about trying to get my snakes to take F/T or prekilled. The worst is having the abdomen of the rodent break open and spill warm guts all over creation...arrrggghhhh.....but hey....if you can get your BP to take prekilled more power to you...Im still working on it...

EyeLashViper

[rex322]

Try refreezing in and thawing it.

dont try that. the stomach will fall out on you and it will be useless