Reptile & Amphibian Forums

any tip or tricks on switching ball pythons to frozen thawed rats

Mine have always switched on their own, with a bit of patience. Just keep offering and eventually the'll go for it. Make sure that the rodent is warm enough- I warm it close to 90 degrees. Try at a time that your ball would be most likely to take it- ie. after a shed or at night, roaming the enclosure.

Other things I've been told, but never tried:
Go live to prekilled to frozen thawed- an easier transition.
Try 2 small meals: start with a live rodent, then introduce a f/t just as your ball is finishing the first. After that apparently they'll go for it.
Warm it under a heat lamp briefly- increases the temp and smell to wet the snake's appetite.

Try the tricks for any finicky ball: the paper bag, leave it in the tank overnight, introduce it while the ball is in it's hide when it feels most secure...the list goes on.

But just give it a try first.

The method that worked for me was to place the F/T foods head just inside the snake favourite hide and leave overnight. Usually it will be gone the next morning. Do this with a smaller than usual food item a few times and then hopfully things should be O.K.

You may find that the snake does not constrict the food, to entice it, wait until the snake has got hold of the food and the gently tease the food item with tongs/forceps to simulate struggling and that should do the trick, but only do this after the snake has taken 2/3 feeds and is used eating F/T. With luck you won't have to.

Hope it helps
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