Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in hearing your experiences with feeding FT in terms of fresh vs not so fresh FT. For example, one would think you would get a better feeding response from a rodent that was dispatched and immediately vacuum sealed and frozen vs. a rodent that was dispatched, packed in a regular zip-loc and frozen.

I have found my snakes that take FT don't care one way or the other. But would a picky eater take to fresh FT? What about hatchlings?
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I thought my young blood python was a picky eater, so I tried "fresh" killed vs. F/T for a while. As I learn more, I think her feeding response is really more connected with temperature than freshness of food. In fact, she seems to be taking F/T after the second try these days. So, it's F/T to start with, warmed up for the first attempt, refridgerated when she doesn't take it after the first try, then warmed up and taken on the second try.

My ball python will eat any rat I feed her, regardless of freshness (F/T, day old, live). She's a garbage can, pretty much.

I think my snakes teach me something about themselves every day.

I havn't tried vacuumed sealed but I have tried frozen vs freshly killed. I was suprised they had a better feeding response to the frozen thawed. I think it is the added heat. just a theory. Some are a little more picky about the smell. If I forget about the rats and leave them too long under the clamp light. I'm sure you've been there. You give the rat a little squeeze. The belly didn't pop, so you offer it. Most of mine won't take it. But I have a couple of my girls that will eat them up. Uhh ! I have tried not to let that happen again. LOL Claude