live vs f/t

[imh0813]

Up until today I was beginning to feel that my new bp wasn't liking me very much. He seemed to shy away at points and whenever I tried to feed him he wouldn't eat it. I was attempting to feed f/t mice and had to refreeze it once each time (fed him twice since I had him up until today). Both times on the second unthawing he would eat it, but it would happen sometime overnight, not anytime close to when I put it in. Well today I decided I'd try giving him a live hopper and WOW what a difference. He instantly struck and coiled it when I put it in the cage and finished it off in a matter of minutes, and now has been flicking his tongue like crazy and seems much happier and more active. I definitely think I am going to stick to live ones and just keep an eye out for him. Thanks for reading my rambling story, I am just excited he finally ate for me.

[bobby729]

it may have something to do with the fact that its winter they get picky during winter. do you get the f/t mice warm b4 you try to feed? do you use mice or rats some snakes prefer one or the other.

[Bruce Whitehead]

Feed what works for you and works for the snake. |

A responsible live feeding of an appropriate sized prey item in not a concern.

Just educate yourself on live feeding, and not just on the "ANTI-LIVE" propoganda.

It is all about informed decisions.

Bruce

Up until today I was beginning to feel that my new bp wasn't liking me very much. He seemed to shy away at points and whenever I tried to feed him he wouldn't eat it. I was attempting to feed f/t mice and had to refreeze it once each time (fed him twice since I had him up until today). Both times on the second unthawing he would eat it, but it would happen sometime overnight, not anytime close to when I put it in. Well today I decided I'd try giving him a live hopper and WOW what a difference. He instantly struck and coiled it when I put it in the cage and finished it off in a matter of minutes, and now has been flicking his tongue like crazy and seems much happier and more active. I definitely think I am going to stick to live ones and just keep an eye out for him. Thanks for reading my rambling story, I am just excited he finally ate for me.

[starmom]

I totally agree with what Bruce shared.
I have 15 snakes who eat frozen/thawed rats and one snake who eats live mice. Doesn't bother me at all

[ThyTempest]

it may have something to do with the fact that its winter they get picky during winter. do you get the f/t mice warm b4 you try to feed? do you use mice or rats some snakes prefer one or the other.

Some snakes are picky eaters, and just fast in the winter no matter what. Others are picky about certain types of prey, etc.

Yes, f/t need to be unthawed ten warmed up (warm water or blow dryer are best). This will help with the snake recognizing it as food. I would try this before your snake gets hooked on live. Trust me, if it will take f/t, you want to keep it on f/t.

[starmom]

...Trust me, if it will take f/t, you want to keep it on f/t.

Why? Feeding my snake live mice is no big deal at all

I just get 4 or 5 mice at a time, raise them up a bit so they are better fleshed, and then give one or two to my snake. No big deal, and since my snake won't eat frozen/thawed, this is just what I have to do for her.

Do whatever is best for the snake (first) and convenient for you (second)!

[nixer]

i switch off f/t and live. no problems going back to f/t from live and alot of the time i dont even have to warm up the rodent. some snakes wont eat it if you dont warm it some just dont care.

[rabernet]

My entire collection of ~40 is "hooked on live", but then I have never fed them pre-killed or f/t. And no harm has come to any of them as a result.

The only snake in my collection that gets f/t is my cali king, simply because he'll take it without hesitation and I don't want to breed mice to feed one snake.

As already stated, feed what's convenient for you and that your snake will eat. Don't get caught up in the live vs f/t is better/worse for your snake.

Bruce's post says it best!

[Wh00h0069]

Congrats!

I had the same problem and result that you had. I tried to feed f/t, but had a number of ball pythons that would not take them. I decided to switch to live and have a much better feed response.

[JohnNJ]

My snakes take both live and F/T but their feeding response is much better with live. Since they take both I'm trying to stick with F/T.

BTW, I take the mice out of the freezer in the morning and let them thaw in the refrigerator until I get home from work. I put them on the tank screen for an hour to warm to room temp and work up their scent. I heat them under a red bulb, like they do at the diner with food.

Warm water works. Hot water cooks and softens the skin too much. I haven't had much luck with blow dryers.

JohnNJ