Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the best way to switch ball pythons from live to frozen thawed? I feed pre-killed and if not then live but would like to switch over.
Steve
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Some will convert. Some won't. Some will eat FT one week then refuse the next. Some will only eat mice others will only eat rats etc.... It all depends on the individual. Good luck
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

My collection is small so take my advice with a grain of salt, but with the collection I have they are 100% frozen thawed rat feeders and all eat every week with the exception of breeding season I'm finding out and I do have a few that refuse to eat in shed. This is what I do.

To feed f/t I pull all my frozen rats out at 12pm. Then around 8 or 9 I lay them out and warm them up under a heat lamp for the appropriate time pups usually around 15 min all the way up to larges at about 30min. Then with tongs I dangle the rat at the front of the cage. Also do not put the rat right over the snake. This will scare it and put it in flight mode and it'll hide and not eat. I usually dangle the rat at the front of the tub and allow the snake to take interest and come up after the rat. If a snake is really particular you can use the tong and hold the rat behind the shoulders simulatin real rat movement.

When I pick up a snake at 60 to 90 grams I will feed it live rat pups for at least two meals or more. Then if I'll go for f/t. I'll generally offer frozen thawed for 3 weeks. If the snake still doesn't take frozen thawed then I will give it two good live meals to make sure it eats. Then I go right back to frozen thawed. I've never had to go more than two cycles before getting a steady f/t feeder on babies.

If it is an adult snake I will generally go the same route, but I may do more of a 6-8 week f/t to 1-2 week live cycle. I've found that if you put the time into it and be patient and consistent with the process the snake with adapt and eat f/t consistantly. Also I always start with a rat one size smaller than what I would normally feed.

With a small collection and time and patience I feel any snake can be converted. With larger collections I can also see where efforts would be waisted trying to convert.
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1.0 Spider Ball Python
1.0 Albino Ball Python
0.1 Pastel Ball Python
0.3 Het for Albino Ball Python
0.1 Pinstripe Ball Python
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0.2 Het for Piebald Ball Python
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0.1 Axanthic Ball Python

Let them defrost naturally at least during the switching period - I think people tend to want to speed up the process by defrosting in hot water and that seems to be less appealing to the snakes causing more refusal - let them defrost either overnight in the fridge or stick them out on the counter but not for too long you don't want them to start decomposition.

Heat them up using a heat lamp - if you heat them inside the snake room the smell will act as a dinner bell for your snakes - they will be sitting there ready to eat anything you drop in their cages. They don't need to be hot just warm to the touch.

Since you are already feeding pre-killed half the battle is already fought. You may need to do the zombie dance with the rat to get their attention at first but eventually they will be jumping out of their tubs as soon as they smell dinner cooking.
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Tosha

nihil facimus sed id bene facimus