Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,guys...

Great forum you've got. I am looking to purchase my first snake, and had planned on going with a corn snake, since they seem to come strongly recommended for beginners. However, a relative of my wife's is going into the service soon, and needs to get rid of his ball python. They're currently live feeding it. How hard is it to get them to switch over to thawed mice? I hate to see them give the snake to someone who may or may not take good care of it; at the same time, I hate to buy one that has trouble making that transision. Unfortunately, I cannot find any pet stores in my area to purchase frozen mice from (I had planned on trying him out during his next feeding).

Anyhow, anyone out there with advice, I'd love to here it. If nothing else, if you live in the SC area and our looking to get a ball, I know someone who might sell one cheap!

When I started feeding pre-killed rats to my ball she took to it like a champ. No problem and she was probably already 8 by the time I switched. I would highly recomend it as it is MUCH safer for the snake. I used a place online called RodentPro. They came quickly, packed in dry ice and in the long run it's cheaper than at the pet store.

jay

Thanks! Is it normal for them to make the transition so easily? I've heard they can be pretty finicky....

I've tried to convince the guy that it's better for him to feed pre-killed. I can't imagine sinking that much money into a snake only to have it mauled by a mouse.

>Is it normal for them to make the transition so easily?

I really don't know if it's normal. I've only ever had the one snake. Like you, I would have assumed that she would have been more finicky since from what I have heard that is more the ball pythons M.O.
It wouldnt hurt to try feeding him/her a pre-killed rat just to see, would it?

good luck
jay

You should not have any problems so long as you do not leave the rodent in for an extended period of time. Christy

Can't do it. It's taken me the last two years to get my wife to even consider the idea of having a snake in the house (she finds them very beautiful animals, but insists the view is better from far, far away) She'd absolutely freak if she were to see it take a live mouse. Not to mention I'd probably be too much of a pansy to do it myself. In either case, I'd hate to chance it.

It's weird; I've called all the pet stores in my area, and none of them carry frozen mice. One of them has frozen pinkys...but not mice. Odd. I may try her out on a thawed pinky for a snake, see how she takes to it.

I've gotten balls that I'm told are live feeders and their first meal at my house is a f/t and they dont turn back - I have some that switch but once in a while like the live ones until they are fully turned I have a couple that won't look at f/t. It depends on the snake. Normally I would suggest the first few feedings you feed him live, then prekilled, then f/t. However since you are squeamish about feeding live - I doubt you'd manage p/k.

You mentioned you would try mouse pinks won't work mouse pinks are too small for even a hatchling (you didn't mention what size it is) you can try ordering a package of the appropriate size items online if it works great if not, then you'd have to go with live.

Honestly - this is just my opinion - if there is too much of an ick factor to the feeding process - a snake probably isn't your best choice of pets - try a lizard - crickets and worms may be more acceptable to you and your wife than fuzzy animals.
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season

So they wouldn't take a thawed pinky? What size would you recommend for a 3' snake (not sure of the age)