Switching from live to f/t

[cherriepie]

My poor redtail Camellia recently got pretty tore up from a rat. We have treated her wounds and she is doing great, but I was wondering if there are any ways to switch her over to fresh killed or frozen thawed. I am afraid she will not eat them. I would really like to avoid another such disaster. BTW, thanks a lot for everyones help. I know I have asked a lot of questions and everyone has been super helpful and welcoming. Thank you so much!

[Ace]

yes, definitly feed frozen / thawed (F/T). Most snakes will eat F/T you just have to get them used to it. It may take a couple of time but if they get hungry enough they will eat it. Just thaw the rat in warm water. depending on the size of rat depends on the time it takes. just make sure the rat it thawed completly through. Then use tongs and move the rat in front of the snake and usually the snake will take it. try that and if that doesn't work let us know and we can give more ideas. You can also go to pre-killed then to F/T.

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Diablo]

hey, cherriepie, You may even be able to set the rat in there. When I switched my RT over to F/T I just set one in there. Came back in about 30 mins and he took it.

[Sunn]

I've never had problems switching to prekilled or frozen thawed rats with Boas....
now Pythons.....lol they can be a different thing all together but you shouldn't have problems.

I use long handled hemostats and do the rat dance for all my boas except one shy male Dumeril that prefers his food just left for him....It looks like he needs to cuddle with it awhile before he eats it.....actually he is just shy and doesn't want anyone watching.

Good luck and check back if you have problems.

[pythonpower]

i know you can also get a pair of pliers and rip the rats front teeth out. It sounds nasty and bad and mean but it cant harm your snake.

P.S- Not for the faint of heart

[Ed_r]

i know you can also get a pair of pliers and rip the rats front teeth out. It sounds nasty and bad and mean but it cant harm your snake.

DUDE!!!!! Thats incredibly cruel and unecessary.

RTBs will take f/t prey as easy as anything. I've had new borns take f/t as their first meal.

Since your snake was attacked once, it may take some time to get passed the fear of rats. Diong the wiggle thing with a warm dead rat usually gets a wild strike. Once you get the snake to take them well, they will just take the rat if left in the feed tote, or cage if your feeding on newspapre.(never feed on loose substrate)

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[haroldo359]

my redtail ate f/t the first time, but i used some zoomed plastic tweezers to entice her. good luck.

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[captainmorgan]

You may have a hard time feeding live. I've heard of snakes getting banged up for a meal and then shy away from live food. IF YOUR SNAKE SHY'S AWAY FROM FROZEN THAWED, DON'T GET DISCOURAGED!!!! He/she might be afraid of the scent at first, but after awhile of being persistent he'll take it. And no, don't take out the rats teeth, you'll get bit first I guarantee and that is beyond cruel. I don't even feed prekilled anymore with any of mine because you can still get mites. Strictly thawed for mine, I'll never have mite problems again and it's the safest and cheapest way. Good luck and I hope after a couple of sheds the wounds will heal...Just please don't get discouraged. Your snake may become afraid.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks