Quote Originally Posted by TallJRock View Post
This is my only and first snake, so I don't have access to getting something mouse scented. I could go to frozen mice first then to rats, but maybe this extra week will make him extra hungry so might not be as picky too. At first he seemed to be in strike posture but gradually went to almost a more fearful posture. I didn't want to create extra stress so I didn't keep putting it in front of him once he hissed a little. Is it possible he saw the rat as too big? I mean he has fed well and has steadily gained weight every week, so maybe the rat pup wasn't the right size choice.
Just guessing but rats (the unfamiliar scent of) has been known to "scare" snakes unfamiliar with eating them. That would explain the hiss & refusal, much more than the size. Snakes actually don't assess the size of prey very well at all- that's why I'd say it was the rat scent, most likely. As for used mouse litter, try asking a pet store if they'd save you some- & tell them why so they don't think you're totally , lol.

When offering "dead" prey, it may take a little practice to get just the right "presentation"- both warmth, & slight wiggle (using tongs) but not so much that it seems threatening. Remember that in the wild, rodents do not approach snakes & offer themselves as dinner, so try to entice the snake to the prey, rather than approaching the snake with it- which would be quite "forward" & something a rodent would never do. This may seem trivial, but with prey that smells unfamiliar, it matters.