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Q:
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how do i change my ball python over to f/t?
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In Relation To:
Orion [BPo]
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I have a young male ball python and was wondering how i can change his food over to f/t mice? he only will take mice that are alive right now. any suggestions?
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Assisted Answer
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4/17/2010 4:46:44 PM
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Carusima
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The only thing that has worked for me is trick feeding. I have 3 who won't eat f/t, but if I thaw out the mouse, rub it with a paper towel until mostly dry, then fluff it up a little infront of the heater I have in the snake room, they tend to take it. I'll start at once end of the tub and bounce it around a little bit until they see it, then I'll wiggle it closer towards them. Sometimes they take it right away, and other times it takes a few times of me tease feeding and pushing the mouse several times against the balls snout before they'll strike and wrap. After a few feedings, they tend to just take it f/t. It took 2 of mine 3 feedings to switch, and 1 of them I'm still working on.
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Member Comment
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4/18/2010 9:42:23 AM
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Sigfried
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I'll also add that most won't eat it unless if it is warmer than its environment.
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Author Comment
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4/18/2010 9:55:44 AM
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meanderpaul
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i dont feed in the tanks so i dont have to worry about the enviroments temps (im in maine its almost never warm till mid summer) i have tried the teasing him by moving it around like a mouse and tappin the nose. he just doesnt seem like a "dumb" snake lol. i will keep trying though cause i need to get him to eat f/t so i can bulk buy mice and rats for next school year.
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Member Comment
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4/18/2010 12:46:11 PM
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Carusima
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He doesn't mean the tank, the mouse needs to be warmer than the ambient temperature in the room. I have a snake room set to 83, so the mouse has to be warmer than that ambient temperature. I've fed all mine in their own enclosures with more success rates than moving them to a new one and stressing them out to feed them. So the mouse can't be cool to the touch, it needs to be pretty warm and dry to fake being alive.
At least the good thing about f/t, is if you have more than one snake, just cook -1 mouse, and if he doesn't eat it well then you haven't wasted any. If you cook a mouse for all your snakes plus him, and he doesn't eat it, well then you have to double feed someone and sometimes that's just a waste.
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Member Comment
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4/18/2010 2:55:35 PM
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aaron
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Feed a live
Superheat a dead (super hot water)
Use tongs to make it dance
Repeat :) (at the next feeding)
Eventually, they should get the hang of it
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Member Comment
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4/18/2010 4:39:56 PM
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Nitram
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Just thaw our a rat of similar size put it in a ziplock bag and leave it in the fridge overnight, the next morning or whatever part of that day place the already thawed (or close to completely thawed) mouse in a bag into a bowl with warm water. give it a few minutes, not too long (depending how stiff the mouse still feels and how hot the water is). I use ziplocks cause the rat doesnt get wet and some of mine wont take em wet. Anyway grab the thawed (and warm) rat with tongs or even your hand if you're ballsy by the tail or by the skin behind its neck and start parading it around the enclosure slowly... The snake will scent a rat is present and when you see him interested, do what any stupid live rat does and head straight for him in an inquisitive and calm like motion. The snake will strike, I guarantee it.
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Author Comment
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4/18/2010 5:39:27 PM
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meanderpaul
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i will try when i feed him next i like the ideas
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Accepted Answer
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4/19/2010 2:25:34 AM
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Artistry Exotics
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I've gotten all of mine to make the switch to F/T, although some were a little more stubborn than others. For the stubborn ones, I skipped a meal or two to make sure they were good and hungry. One needed to first have a few pre-killed meals before she'd take F/T. Like the others have already said, make sure you heat the rodent up well, especially its head. I use a hair-dryer, especially since some don't like them wet. I find it easier on me and on the snakes to feed in the enclosure - most of mine prefer to just peek out of their hides and grab their food, then drag it back in to eat in privacy.
Another trick is to offer a smaller-than-usual live prey item, then immediately after offer a dead one (also on the small side). Often they will take it because they're still in "feeding mode".
I've also got a few snakes who prefer it when I just leave the F/T rodent in there and leave them alone. I'll check back an hour or so later, and they've eaten it.
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Member Comment
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4/19/2010 11:53:45 AM
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shellboa
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I was gonna say try pre-kill for a while, that has almost always worked for me.
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Member Comment
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4/20/2010 2:13:42 AM
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Gaffey789
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Sometimes they will take a dead rodent if you cut it's head open
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Member Comment
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1/24/2011 6:52:18 AM
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abi21491
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This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action. Recommended Action: Points awarded An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion. Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.
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