Reptile & Amphibian Forums

TO explain things better, I have a corn snake who's now big enough to take on pinky rats. She's been on mice since they were the right size and that's all we got here. I was thinking about putting like of my bearded dragon's clacuim dust on the mouse's face for a little bit so the snake can get use to the scent then switch it over to pinky rats while still using the calcuim them weining it off. My dad has a full grown corn snake and it doesn't want to take any rats. Frightened of them i think.
Obviously gonna be ordering frozen pinky rats for my snake. Was also gonna be spitting an order with my friend who has a Jungle Carpet that's been on mice too and is really gonna need to get it on rats.
What do all of you think and got any other good ideas?

(ps- that's dad's snake, don't have any new pics of mine)

-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

Yes,.....that is a very typical response that many snakes have when switching over to rats. I've had many snakes that were absolute "sharks" when it came to feeding time, but when they were introduced a rat, they didn't know what to make of it!!. Many times, if you hold the dead rat in front of them with just a little "wiggle" they will eventually get up enough courage to go for it. The last thing you want to do is chase the snake around the cage with it, this will definitely reinforce the scent of a rat to be associated with fright as far as the snake is concerned!!!. If the snake doesn't take it within a minute or two, close the top and let it be for a couple hours, then try again. If that doesn't work, try "braining" a dead mouse and rub the brain material all over the face of the rat. I've never thought of that "dusting" thing before, but that couldn't hurt either, as snakes need calcium in their diet from the bones of the rodents they eat. Anyway, good luck, you'll get one of these things to work eventually..........................Doug

-----
Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Doug,
Excellent response! I'd like to add one more "from experience" thought: a hungry corn snake finds a rat much more appealing than a content, less hungry cornsnake. Sometimes skipping a feeding or two/not offering mice when the rat is refused, is motivation enough to try the new food item the next time it is offered.

rgds,
althea

Glad you picked up on that, .....when reviewing my post, I noticed that I didn't include that little "tidbit" like I wanted to add!!(LOL)......very good,.....because that can make all the difference in the world!!......best regards,................Doug
-----
Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!