Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got an 06 female in December. The previous owner told me that he fed her a live rat every week. I cannot feed live since there is nowhere close where I can get live and I am not going to raise my own. I live in a one bedroom apartment and that isn't really an option. I've been offering a FT rat each week. I've tried all the usual tricks but she hasn't eaten. If I never offer live do you think she will eventually start taking the FT? I think she will and that is the current plan. I got her 7 weeks ago and she has only lost 26 grams. She now weighs 704 g.

Also, there is a possibility that she is off feed. The previous owner told me that she was feeding when he had her but she has not gone to the bathroom since I have had her so I question this. Sorry for the long post.

I run a rescue and the vast majority of animals we get are on live prey. I can get live- and usually get fresh killed- but i don't like feeding live- and i don't have time on feeding day to stand and watch 30 some snakes with thier rats.

When i get them, they are usually starving hungry and take f/t-- if they don't take it on the first or second attempt-- I skip one or two weeks- depending on how big/small the snake is- and 9 times out of 10 they'll take it.

I either tong feed- and dangle-- or i hold the rat by the tail and hang it inside the cage and dangle ---

I don't know if i have the 'magic touch' or what- but everyone i get these animals from says that they *won't* eat f/t --- and i've never had a problem...

anyway- i think if you just keep trying- she will get hungry enough to take what is offered...

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Many adult ball pythons never eat frozen and if that is all you are prepared to offer it then you need to move it on to somebody else who will be willing to feed it whatever it will eat. Even adult that do eat frozen thawed often go off it and demand live or nothing.

If you can, try to buy a live rat once a week rather than frozen.
You can keep a rat or two without a odor problem(maybe I'm just used to the smell lol).Just change the bedding a couple times a week.
I feed only live. Frozen is a pita. Thaw it, warm it, get the tongs, dangle twitch it around a little bit, then throw it away or refreeze and repeat.
As far as waiting for one of my snakes to constrict and kill a rat....by the time I get the next tub open and drop in a rat the previous rat is on his way to becoming snake poo.
If any of them refuse to eat for whatever reason,the rat lives another day.No fuss no muss.

David Perkins

If you look at the ball python's lips, you will see a series of heat sensors. Warming a dead rat up to its normal body temperature (around 100 F, I think) may stimulate the snake to feed, but there are no certainties.

Paul Hollander

I get the rat nice and hot. She has showed interest but not yet struck. It seems to be getting better with each attempt so I think eventually she will come around.