African soft fur "addiction"

[WftRight]

When African soft fur (ASF) rats first came on the market a few years ago, many people said that if one started feeding them to a ball python, the ball python would become "addicted" in the sense that he wouldn't eat any other kind of food. Since then, others have said that this effect really isn't that strong. One can feed ASF sometimes but switch back as necessary. I'd like to try some ASF for some of my difficult feeders, but I don't want any of them to become so attached that I can't switch them back to mice or rats if ASF rats become difficult to find.

Does anyone have any thoughts about this subject? Have you found that feeding ASF rats to your ball pythons causes them to refuse to eat anything else?

I've also thought about feeding them to my CalKing. I know that this isn't a CalKing forum, but if anyone has thoughts on that topic, I'd like to hear them. From what I've seen, a big ASF would be the size that my CalKing likes to eat.

Thanks,


Bill

 

[BalloonzForU]

The only bad thing I've noticed with AFS is they are mean little rats and if you've got a live only feeder it's best to stun them if you can. If your King will take F/T or P/K I would kill the AFS first, just because like I said they are mean and can really do some damage to a snake if in the right mood.

I've had to start off a hatchling BP on hopper AFS to get it to start eating and then was able to get it to move on to sented mice later on, then non sented mice.

 

[WftRight]

Thanks! If I use ASFs, I'll use f/t that I buy from a frozen rodent dealer. All of my guys and gals are f/t feeders if only because I haven't offered any of them a live rodent in several years.

I'm not too worried about the CalKing because he seems to switch between mice and rats with no problem. I could probably change his food every week, and he wouldn't care.

My big concern is with a couple of ball pythons who are not great feeders. If they like ASFs, I would let them try the ASFs for a while, but I don't want to be stuck stocking ASF forever.

 

[nevinm]

hey ill throw my two sence in. i wouldnt be afraid with them not switching back. mice are WAYYY worse. balls hate switching off of mice.

and i absolutly second what fe said. they are mean little suckers!!