Eats live, want to switch to F/T

[bpkid]

My two balls ate live for the breeder I got them from. I want to feed them F/T, but should I feed live instead until they get even more acclimated to their new enclosures?

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

[MAG_Pythons]

PM louise, she's the master of switching to f/t, so is almost every other person on this site, i just had to offer my snake p/k then f/t and they took it right away, i guess i'm a lucky one, just try an appropriate sized rodent at your snakes next meal and wiggle it a lil for them they'll usually take it, if not, i'm sure some1 else can help you better than me

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

[zsanorah]

Congrats on wanting to switch, its much better for the snake IMHO. Like Mag said Louise can def help you. Good luck

[bpkid]

I've always used F/T for all snakes I've kept. Maybe I should try PK until I know they are good feeders.

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

[MAG_Pythons]

the main reason a snake wouldn't accept f/t is if it's eathe a) not warm enough or b) not moving. p/k would get the heat but my balls like their prey to "twitch" so i just poke it with tongs and they take it or grab a back leg and make it move a little .
best of luck,
Leigh

PS - good for you to want to switch them over right away

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

[SoundUnsleep]

I'm gonna add on to MAG's post: c) Doesn't smell like prey.

I leave the prey out on the kitchen counter in a plastic bag for about 20 minutes then shove it in a bowl with water (with the bag to keep the smell fresh!), raise the prey temp to about 105 degree. Check the head to make sure it doesn't feel cooler than the body. Pick it up with the tongues by the tail or hind leg and do the "hoppe-dyih-dooh-dah" thing.
If your ball doesn't accept the prey: Ask Louise. She'll be able to tell you exactly how to get things rolling towards feeding f/t.
Congrats on deciding to feed f/t!!!

[bpkid]

Originally Posted by SoundUnsleep

I'm gonna add on to MAG's post: c) Doesn't smell like prey.

I leave the prey out on the kitchen counter in a plastic bag for about 20 minutes then shove it in a bowl with water (with the bag to keep the smell fresh!), raise the prey temp to about 105 degree. Check the head to make sure it doesn't feel cooler than the body. Pick it up with the tongues by the tail or hind leg and do the "hoppe-dyih-dooh-dah" thing.
If your ball doesn't accept the prey: Ask Louise. She'll be able to tell you exactly how to get things rolling towards feeding f/t.
Congrats on deciding to feed f/t!!!

If I grab it with tongs, won't it bite me by accident?

[SoundUnsleep]

hehehe, how late is it? Oh, only 3 in the morning! <grins>

Let's not make things unsafe for you while making them safer for your BP. Please, use tongs.

I hope you read this before you swallow your BP's meal!

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

[Sleepy_FF]

Originally Posted by bpkid

If I grab it with tongs, won't it bite me by accident?

ig you use tongs, it wont bite YOU, it will ge the tongs.

i grab mine by the nape of the neck and do a little dance.. tho i have found that my snakes take the prey beter if i thaw in water then dry them off. dunno why

[bpkid]

I was definately going to use tongs. How much are they usually at Petco?