Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Background: I've got a BP, yearling, that we've been trying (with no success) to take frozens. Now, up until recently, we knew we could at least give her live, much as I don't want to.

However, bout a month ago, she accidentally grabbed the thing by the back end. Ever since that point, she will ONLY take the things by the back end, and she will not take them at ALL if they are not male !!

Now what am I supposed to do? LOL! I don't want her taking live at all - she won't take frozen - so I thought I'd try her on the frozens again after the winter fast and see if she might be hungry enough to do it. But I also don't want her grabbing the live by the you-know-whats as that tends to peeve off the rat and I don't want her getting bitten either.

Anyone have any ideas? Yeah, I've already tried feeding her a female - she won't take it. Period. ROFL

Thanks.

~ Seliah
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1 Ball Python
1 Rock Python
1 Bullsnake
5 Cats

Love 'em all ...

that's...... strange. lol
I dont have any advice, but that's...... really really weird...
hmm...
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--0.0.1 ball python
--0.1 orange cat
--2.0 dogs
--0.0.3 frogs
--3.0 beta fish
--and some cockroaches
--maxgmercer@yahoo.com--

Try wacking the rats just past the back of the neck, then throwing it to your snake while it's still floppin around. It may see this as still alive and hit it but the rat will be dead and not able to fight back. Gradually wait longer after clubbing the rat before putting it in the cage until you can feed your snake a dead, floppy rat.

DZ

First, check out:

www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_switch_from_mice_to_rats.html

www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_Why_do_you_suggest_feeding_thawed.html

Second, the longer you support his eating live prey, the more difficult it will be to switch him. There are many techniques to get him to switch ... try the above ones and ask around for others. And don't give in or get discouraged until one of the tricks works, which it will inevitably if all other variables are correct.

He can go for months without eating ... don't feed him anything but FT, using all the different tricks ... guaranteed he'll take one sooner rather than later.

When you thaw out your prey, make it VERY warm ... I find that really gets the feeding response going.

Things to try (and you'll have to mix and match, so this will take time):

1) Braining
2) Rubbing dead rat on a live rat
3) Mouse Rat in a paper bag, closed, over night
4) Any or all of the above with different colors of rat
5) Feeding at night
6) Feeding during the day

etc ...

Joel
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1.1 Ball Python
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake
2.1.1 Leopard Geckos
2.0 Crested Geckos

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the help. I've bookmarked the links, and will keep trying this...

I love these critters, but they can be SO picky sometimes about their food... LOL
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1 Ball Python
1 Rock Python
1 Burmese Python
1 Bullsnake
4 Cats

Love 'em all ...