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Q:
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Help switching ball python to f/t!
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Hello! Iv'e had my ball python for over a year now and she was eating live when I got her. She is now on medium rats. I've been trying to switch her over to f/t, for her safety and for my own sake. I've tried scenting with chicken broth and tuna. Feeding in a dark, small container. Heating the frozen feeder up. I've tried various colors of mice/rats to see if she had a preference. Braining, "zombie dances", nothing seems to work. My friend keeps mice and scenting a f/t feeder with used bedding worked for awhile, but a few of the mice died so the smell of the bedding isn't as strong and has stopped working. Warm side temp is around 89f, cool side is approx 78f. Humidity is around 55-60% at all times. It's not urgent that I switch her over, I have live rats that are easily obtainable. I would just highly prefer frozen feeders. Would it be worth it to try feeding a f/t chick (if I can get one in my area)? Any other tricks there are that I haven't tried? Thanks so much!
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Member Comment
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5/15/2016 8:36:53 PM
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ILuvBalls
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How often do you offer f/t? Are you still offering live if she refuses f/t?
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Member Comment
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5/15/2016 8:54:52 PM
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Sonja K. Reptiles
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Since the bedding worked, how about thawing a F/T rat with a mouse in the same bag? The mouse can be used multiple times.
I've also had ones that while in the process of switching I would double bag while thawing so the fur stayed completely dry like a live one's would be. Present the thawed prey warmed - ideally to ~ 90 degrees or so.
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Author Comment
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5/15/2016 10:02:22 PM
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kvc248
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I offer a f/t every week before a live. Yes, I'm still offering live.
She won't pay any attention to f/t mice either so I doubt that would work, but thanks! And I do keep the fur dry when I offer it to her. I don't know exactly what temp I've heated them up to though
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Member Comment
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5/15/2016 10:15:41 PM
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ILuvBalls
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She might not be hungry enough to stop being picky. I've had to show tough love when switching mine over.
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Member Comment
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5/16/2016 8:55:31 AM
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Lashman
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As said, if it won't eat F/T then it doesn't eat. It's just more stubborn than you. It's already proven it will eat them.
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Member Comment
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5/16/2016 8:56:05 AM
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Lashman
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As said, if it won't eat F/T then it doesn't eat. It's just more stubborn than you. It's already proven it will eat them.
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Member Comment
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5/16/2016 9:23:10 AM
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Cenobite
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Keep offering FT only and if it doesn't eat make it wait another week. It won't starve and it will eat eventually. I've had several take as long as 3-4 months before they start taking FT regularly.
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Author Comment
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5/16/2016 12:16:20 PM
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kvc248
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When I first got her I offered a f/t every week and no live. She didn't eat for about five months until I gave in. She was still very small at that point so I didn't want to let it go too long. Maybe I'll give it another shot now that she has some bulk to her
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Member Comment
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5/16/2016 2:10:27 PM
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Sonja K. Reptiles
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Something I've had work is changing up something in the enclosure - different substrate, a different hide, adding greenery to the floor of the enclosure - think things that might make him/her feel more secure.
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Member Comment
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5/16/2016 5:28:38 PM
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Aimee
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+1 to all of the above. if she's nice and girthy, there's no reason not to out-stubborn her.
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Member Comment
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5/17/2016 4:18:14 PM
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Ratman
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You have tried some things i have never tried and most I have had no luck with either. Recently I've had about 8 months of this.
Unless you forgot to mention it, I suggest you try fresh killed before F/T.
Spot clean, change her water, give her a light misting then dont disturb the enclosure for a few days. Then try feeding her a small F/K at the crack of dawn, at night or at least when shes had a few hours of darkness. If she takes then keep it up for a while before trying the same with an F/T.
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Member Comment
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5/26/2016 6:43:14 PM
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MegF
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I'd wait several weeks before offering again to be sure the snake is hungry. None of my snakes are fed weekly. When you offer the f/t make sure it's hot and well dried. Just before giving it on tongs, dip the nose in boiling water to make a very strong heat target. Feed at night when they'd normally be eating. I've had good luck getting finicky snakes to eat by pulling the tongue out of the mouth so that it protrudes...don't know why it works but it often does. I think the biggest problem is that the mouse or rat is not warm enough and it's offered too often.
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Member Comment
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6/21/2016 3:59:32 PM
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Ratman
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Not sure if you've had any luck yet. BTW my 10 year old after ending an 8 month fast a few months ago is still only taking live. This morning I fed her, and while she was still constricting I put a small Fresh Killed next to her. After swallowing the first she took the FK without a problem. It was like "oh, I must have forgotten to eat it now it's dead". Maybe I am a little paranoid but I feeding her up a little in case she decides to fast again for so long. Making lemonade while I have lemons..
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