Will not eat f/t...

[Libitina]

we have 3 ball pythons in a rack. the youngest is still eating live because they didn't have the right size in when I ordered rats. I got small rats for the larger two. However, when we try to feed them, they don't show any interest at all! We have tried twice now, last week and this week. We thawed them in warm water in a plastic baggy, then blowdried the head a little bit, and offered the rats to them, dangling them in front of them. They didn't even care! We even prescented the room with the live mouse we got for the small one. We left them in their cage over night they were still there this morning!
Next week we will probably feed them live (sooooo expensive!) just so they eat. But how could we wean them to f/t? Any suggestions? Thanks

[Libitina]

also, I noticed that some people thaw theirs out all day to prescent the room, should this be done in a plastic baggy to minimize bacteria growth? Because it seems like that would be a risk. When you let things thaw out in the open over a long period of time it allows bacteria to grow.

[kasmir]

i have heard if you try to get soiled gerbil or hamster bedding & roll the food in it, that sometimes works. i'm currently attempting to switch my new guy to f/t after he's been on live for 7 years..not an easy task!

[filly77]

Im definitely not an expert in the whole f/t field,but i can offer some pointers. all of my balls will take f/t when they feel like it.. but they eat much more steadily on live.

To answer your question about bacteria, I know some people dont leave their own meats on the counter to thaw due to the risks. if you're worried about that, let them thaw in the fridge, take them out a day in advance. then warm them up in the water. I personally leave our meats and rats out if im in a hurry, otherwise, I thaw in the fridge.

you mentioned you pre-scented the room w/ a live mouse, are your other snakes used to eating mice or rats? if they're used to eating rats maybe try pre-scenting with a live rat or even used bedding if you dont have a rat on hand. you can get some used rat bedding from a pet store, they might look at you funny until you get to the pre-scenting for your snakes part lol

you can even shake n bake your dead rat in the used fresh bedding. (lol @ shake n bake) Or you can defrost in the fridge, then use a clamp lamp type thing to heat them up next to the snake rack. It will warm them up and pre-scent at the same time. I've never done it this way but read that others do.

You can also try to offer a much smaller live prey item then offer a f/t item right after while your snake is still in a good feeding mode.

Just keep trying

[RichardA]

Start with pre-killed, then the jump to f/t isnt as big of a thing to the snakes. I have gotten almost every snake I have to switch with patience.