Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on getting a live mouse feeder off mice and onto rats?
I have about a dozen balls in my collection and have had success with converting all them to F/T rats except two.
They are both pastels and are both weighing in over 900grams. They are both pastels one male and one female.
The male who Ive had for over a year was feeding strongly on live rats with absolute ease. I got him to start to take P/K then finally F/T for about two months eating once a week. Now no matter what I do he will only eat mice. I have tried scenting the rats with mice but no luck, mice only.
The female is new and came into my collection about three months ago, she came out of quarintine about three weeks ago. I allowed seven full days to accumilate to her enclosure. She will not even look at the rat but pounds mice with ease.
Any advice will be a great help.
Thanks in advance.

The male may be getting into breeding mode. There's a male pastel over here about that size, and even without cooling he's started to refuse feeding.

I know your frustration. I too have a male pastel about 900gr who won't even look at a rat - in fact he goes the other way when I try to give it to him. He does however take f/t mice readily, which I prefer, so at least I don't have to go the live route. All my other BPs take f/t rats with no issues, including the youngsters.

I'll be watching the responses / advice eagerly.

If they are taking f.t. I have a trick that works for my mousers -- pick up a mouse and a rat with your stats - kind of tuck the mouse under the rat and present it so that the snake smells the mouse but grabs the rat (if he grabs both ten just slide the mouse out while he's constricting the rat) -- it takes some work to master it but it works beautifully on my mousers -- eventually they just start taking the rat.
-----
Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog