Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got an adolescent mojave male BP. the seller told me he won't eat f/t, only live. and that he had tried to switch him.

I have never been unable to get a snake to eat F/T. what I do is put the frozen rodent on some newspaper in a small plastic container, and put a heat pad underneath. it makes the rodent thaw out to be nice and warm, plus it make the (un)pleasant scent of the rodent very apparent. then I tease for as long as it takes on the end of tongs to get the snake to take it.

this python will strike, take it into his hide and then not eat it. I figured I should check to make sure he actually ate it in there, never thinking he actually didn't. this has happened twice today.

I don't want to break and give him live, because I think that's just pushing the switchover further into the future. though he needs to eat sometime... any ideas/tips?

just wondering would he take fresh killed??
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

2.1 chocolate labs and bassett (Harley, Barker and Capone)
1.0 leopard gecko (Nacho)

Try giveing him a few more days to think about the meal he had in his mouth and didn't eat , then try it agean ,that works sometimes for me . David of DS Reptile Rescue

Try thawing the rodent on newspaper at room temp. It keeps them dry, and doesn't cook the insides, and they don't have too strong of a smell. After they are thawed we just rub them dry in a paper towel to create a little heat from the friction. This works for us about 90% of the time when trying to switch to f/t.

Good luck.
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J&J REPTILES
www.jnjreptiles.com
sales@jnjreptiles.com
(207)479-6658

Seems like if he is taking it and constricting it then he is well on his way to accepting it as food - just keep at it. Make sure you've got it at a good temperature (I shoot for about 98*) and while he is constricting it - reach in with your stats and wiggle the thing - make him think it's still fighting. Also - if you "just got him" he may need some settle in time before he is ready to eat.

Good luck.
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Tosha
JET Pythons