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How to convert a ball python onto f/t prey

Posted By:

python1024

In Relation To:

Samson the 2nd [BO8NM#18]

I have a one year old male ball python that I want to convert to eating f/t rats. He is currently eating one small live rat. I really want to make the switch because I do not want to take any chances at my snake being bitten by a live rat. He has an awesome feeding response. My question is what is the best method of converting my BP onto f/t? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.


Points:	100
Topics:	Feeding
Species:	Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/29/2009 12:06:53 PM

FyreFocks

Firstly, stop feeding him for a couple weeks. Make sure hes good and hungry. Then you can try defrosting the rat on top of his cage. The scent should make him very hungry. Then you can offer it to him. If this doesnt work, try again in another week.

Member Comment

8/29/2009 12:43:30 PM

Katie M

you may not even have to make him wait for a few weeks. Have you tried fresh killed? That's a slow, easy transition, and than Samson doesn't have to miss a meal

Member Comment

8/29/2009 12:46:26 PM

FyreFocks

True that. Listen to what the lady says, shes smarter than i am.

Member Comment

8/29/2009 12:47:32 PM

Katie M

wow

Accepted Answer

8/29/2009 12:52:46 PM

shellboa

Start by offering it pre-killed (if you have a way to do it) since it will still be nice and warm and not have "freezer smell" it should be ok, make it dance by his nose but don't touch his nose, oh and do this with tongs. If he won't eat it, freeze the rat. After it accepts pre-kill a couple times try switching to the f/t. the hardest part is getting the rat warm enough with out cooking it.

Keep in mind that Ball Pythons are notorious for being stubborn feeders.

I feed live but I supervise closely, I don't leave the rodents with the snake for more than 15 minutes or so. If the snake hasn't eaten by then I take it out and offer the next week.

And Jerkface, unlike the greedy colubrids, ball pythons will go months not eating if they don't want what you're offering.

Member Comment

8/29/2009 12:55:29 PM

FyreFocks

Well thats a genetic flaw and i cant help that. Its the reason i hate BPs. Well, one of the reasons.

Member Comment

8/30/2009 4:41:17 AM

shellboa

It is not a flaw, it is a survival mechanism evolving from lack of resources and over population in their native habitat. See, I told you you needed rescued.

Member Comment

8/30/2009 10:47:22 AM

vonnick52

I agree with the prekilled then frozen thawed transition. Put the live rat in an pillowcase (old one that you don't plan on using again) and whack it on a tile or concrete floor real hard. Hold the rat in front of the snake immediately, and the warmth and twitching will most likely entice a strike.

Member Comment

8/30/2009 11:52:15 AM

Hannebuddika

If whacking a rat is not your cup of tea there are other ways to stun or "kill" the rat but I agree going to f/k is a great way to transition to frozen.

Assisted Answer

8/31/2009 3:14:09 PM

JohnJohn

Have you actually tried an F/T on him yet?

If you don't want to "wack a rat", you could just try one F/T rat. Warm it up really really warm, and maybe even rinse it off to get any funky freezer smell off. He might take it right away. Not all BPs are picky feeders. I have two that eat like damn pigs during the summer months.

I would think that trying one first is worth a try.

Assisted Answer

8/31/2009 9:50:51 PM

Aimee

usually they switch right over (voice of experience, having fostered a LOT of BPs over the past few years). depending on the body condition, ball pythons can go a really long time without eating, too. just monitor his weight, and as long as it doesn't make a significant drop, offer him a f/t every other week. he'll get hungry. I'm not cruel or harsh with this, either. I promise you he'll eat when he's hungry. you just have to be more stubborn than the snake. many bp's in captivity are fat and over-fed (remember they're not super-active like a colubrid) and this is often why they fast through the winter months, especially in combination with it being breeding season during those months. if you monitor his weight and it's not dropping, just be patient. if he loses much weight, you can always get drastic and try to switch him over slowly.

Member Comment

9/2/2009 3:29:44 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

If you haven't already, just try only offering F/T a few times in a row. I can't even tell you the number of animals that came to me "only eating live". Of my ~ 65, only one of mine still is, and she's less than 2 months old and I've had her less than a month. I just heat the F/T in a bag and float it in really hot water and dangle with tongs. Best wishes for an easy transition! : )

Assisted Answer

9/29/2009 11:05:19 AM

WingedWolfPsion

1/2 hour before any of the steps below, place a pinch of soiled rat bedding in the snake's cage.

Step 1, first week: Offer pre-killed rat, on tongs, still warm.
Step 2, second week: Offer F/T rat, good and warm, rubbed in rat pee, on tongs.
Step 3, third week: Offer F/T rat, good and warm, and you should be good to go.

If any of the above steps fails, wait 2 days and try it again. If the snake fails to eat what you offered for an entire week, offer it what it wants. I have found it's best to keep them eating regularly. Fasting balls can be even pickier. They're fully prepared to wait months for the food they want. If they're in the habit of eating regularly, they tend to eat new things more readily.

Member Comment

12/31/2010 1:41:53 PM

aaron

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