I had similar trouble with my BP. He would only take live food, mice or rats. He is now switched over to FT rats.

Try taking a live rat/mouse and killing it just before giving it to him. You will want to do it as quick as possible, to be as humane as possible to the rat and to make the body as fresh as possible. Try to avoid making the rat bleed. Use a long handled grasper of some sort, I use a hemostat, to hold the rat and wiggle it for the snake. Make sure he cant see your hand.

If he takes the fresh pre-killed then you stand a better chance of getting him to take the FT rats/mice.

My ball will often still constrict his FT rats for a few min before eating, but some times he seems to know they are dead and just gently takes them from me and swallows. Depends on his mood and how hungry he is.

Hope this helps.
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1 BP
4 Cal Kings 3 alb 1 het
3 Alb Corn
1 Rev Alb Nelsons

[ Hide Replies ]

• Snake wont take thawed rodent - crbballs, Wed Jul 22 19:05:34 2009
• RE: Snake wont take thawed rodent - Amanda_D, Wed Jul 22 19:26:42 2009
• RE: Snake wont take thawed rodent - Bolitochrome, Wed Jul 22 20:07:53 2009
• RE: Snake wont take thawed rodent - crbballs, Thu Jul 23 01:39:52 2009