Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I've come a long way. I was one of those poor kids who was traumatized by the movie "Bambi", and would cry at the thought of killing any animal. Now I'm thunking mice on the head to feed to a fussy BP. But this fussy girl won't take F/K, even when it's only been seconds since "thunking". I was told to feed live for awhile, which she loves, very quick eater! Then move to fresh killed, which she is not the least interested in. Is there any hope she will eventually eat frozen/thawed? Am I going to have to keep a mouse colony for this one snake?! And then rats??? Do I just hope she gets hungry enough to finally eat? That doesn't seem right, as she is very willing to eat live.
Thanks!
Beth

Congratulations. You have a ball python. Who knows what they are thinking. How long have you been feeding live and trying the f/k ones? I have one that finally started taking f/t after 4 years. He would eat live and f/k without hesitation. Every couple of feedings I would offer him a f/t and one day he took it. Havent looked back since then. Have you tried feeding it one live mouse followed immediately by a f/k? It can be a long process, but I think you can get there eventually. Good luck.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

Thank you for the reply!
I've had her for only about 3 months or so. Actually I've only gotten into snakes this past year, I never wanted to have to do what I am now doing. So I've had lizards and gecko's and tortoises for years. But snakes are great animals! And much easier to feed and house than lizards, or so I thought! I have Rosey's and corn snakes and a couple of king snakes, and they eat f/t readily. Then I saw this lovely BP and just had to have her, never realizing she wouldn't eat as nicely as the others. Her color is really nice, and since she started eating live she is shedding and her color is getting brighter! And she has a really nice temperament, and I do plan on keeping her. She also won't take a full sized mouse, though I believe she could easily handle them. The last few she ate were weanlings. Not an easy size to keep on hand!

How are you presenting the F/K?
Are you using tongs?
Some times you have to Jiggle them a little. And they have to be warm.

***Make sure not to touch her head with it either.

I also recommend chanting in your head "patience is a virtue... patience is a virtue..."

Good luck
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

Good question, how are you presenting them to her? I have tried all kinds of different ways and never had a problem except one week after a bigger then usual rat he didnt seem hungry the next week.
Anywho i have tried feeding in a seperate container and that worked no problem. I have also started keeping him in his viv and leaving him in his hide. The only thing i do differently to his environment is put a piece of shelf liner down over the aspen so i dont have to worry about him getting some ingested while he is swallowing it.
I thaw the rat out in really hot water so when i offer it to him it is nice and warm and as fresh as can be. Usually from the time i take it out of the freezer till the time i offer it its only been 45 minutes to an hour. Size of prey would differ the amount of time depending on defrost times.
So the rat is nice and firm still the outside temp of the rat is nice and warm. Then i take a pair of tongs and run it around in front of his hide a few times and whaam!! Done deal.
Only real picky thing i have noticed is that if i try to feed early evening no dice! He will check it out but no strike, ofcourse by that time the rat is all nasty and flimsy so i have to defrost anpother one. Err! The second rat is usually defrosted and offered around 11/1130pm and he strikes every time! He refused the first rat 2 times and after that i just waited till later at night and no problems since!
Sorry for the long post but hope it helps or stirrs some thoughts!

Good luck,
Mike
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Beardie
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's