How do i switch from mice to rats?

[Het4Something]

I have a yearling cb ball python. Its a female and shes a very agressive eater. She will eat a full grown mouse every five days if i chose to feed her that often. However my het hypo male is smaller then her and is eating rat pups, and i was wondering how i could get the female to be eating the same thing.... can anyone help or have any suggestions?

[Emilio]

House a rat with a couple of mice for two or three day's , Hopefully the rat will smell a little like the mice and your bp will take it. Personally all of mine have switched easy I have eleven ball's and luckily they all eat rat's. There will be some who never switch remember to keep the size of prey the same that way the only difference is it being a rat and not a mouse.

[frankykeno]

Some will switch, some won't. As long as they are getting the correct volume of prey whether that's one rat or multiple mice, they do just fine. Try getting mouse scent on the rat either by live mice or even used mouse bedding (yes the pet store will think you are nuts for asking for a bag of dirty mouse bedding but get used to it LOL).

[shotty]

My BP switches back and forth regularly with no problems at all, so I guess Im pretty lucky with that! It did take about 3 seperate attempts to get him on mice the first time, but now he'l eat anything! Good luck!

SHOTTY

[Emilio]

That's how I was when I first started , I also feed what was available without a problem but won't take that chance now. That's one of the reason's I started breeding my own rat's.

[Broseph]

i've been lucky, my first bp was on mice when i got here and was eating like crazy i just happen to get a rat and gave it to her with no problems. wish they all were that easy.. good luck. like previously mentioned just try to sent the rats.

[sho220]

Try getting mouse scent on the rat either by live mice or even used mouse bedding (yes the pet store will think you are nuts for asking for a bag of dirty mouse bedding but get used to it LOL).

That's some really good advise. I've switched several over from mice to rats and the scent seems to be the key...

[Het4Something]

thnx for all the info, im going to go home later and try.... thnx

[TekWarren]

House a rat with a couple of mice for two or three day's , Hopefully the rat will smell a little like the mice and your bp will take it. Personally all of mine have switched easy I have eleven ball's and luckily they all eat rat's. There will be some who never switch remember to keep the size of prey the same that way the only difference is it being a rat and not a mouse.

Personal preference but I wouldn't suggest doing this, your asking for a possible terrible situation. If you have to scent, it would be safer to take some used mouse bedding and put it in with rat(s) for a time.

Some snakes will switch no problem others need "convincing".

good luck!

[Het4Something]

I work at a pet store so i put some mouse bedding in a box and then put the rat in the box and left it in there for atleats a good 4 hrs. When i got home i pre-killed it and used tongs to dangle it infront of her face. She hesitated for a second but sure enuff she grabbed it and wrapped it right up. I dont think i should have a problem now.... thnx a bunch guys!