Pythons won't eat frozen

[Rylee]

Ok so if you read my other thread (New Ball Pythons) you would know that I bought a 1.1 pair of 100% pied ball pythons on August 18 I think. Well both breeders said they ate frozen thawed. So a week after getting them I bought some pinkies, but they didn't eat them. I tried again multiple times for three days no luck (the female actually struck one and coiled it but spit it out a few seconds later). So I went back and bought two live fuzzies and set them in there cages. They immediatley struck and coiled and ate! So do you think that was the right decision? Will they now only eat live mice? I read that by feeding them live mice a couple of times you can eventually build a fast feeding response and then feed frozen. Is that true? I'm a little concerned since the place to get the mice is on the other side of town and I don't want to drive out there every week, instead of buying a bunch of frozen to last a month. Also how often should I feed them? I was thinking every five days, is that ok? I kinda want to make them big ASAP so I could breed at around 1 1/2 to 2 years.

 

[Caleb C]

them them in a bag in warm water? I have no experience with them at all, but it might help if their bodies are warm.

 

[Jetfire]

How hot is the water? I had some snakes that wouldn't eat unless the water was wicked hot. For some reason, some snakes won't touch f/t unless they're super hot. Not cooked hot, but hotter than the hottest tap water (unless you have a ninja hot water heater).

 

[Rylee]

I actually did try heating the in warm water. And it wasn't that hot, more like warm. I'll be sure next time i offer frozen thawed that the water will be hot. So you think they will switch from live to frozen thawed?

 

[Jetfire]

Try heating the water to where its steaming. Think of the rodent as a tea bag, if you will.if the water's hot enough to make a cup of tea, it's hot enough for snake food.after it's totally, totally thawed, put it in hot water again.you want the rodent to feel almost hot when you first offer it. I don't know why it works, but it does.get some really long tweezers or forceps, and wiggle it in front of the snake, should do the trick.

 

[Jetfire]

Also, move up in prey size. Hatchling ball pythons can eat mouse hoppers or rat pinks easily, and the extra calcium in the larger food item supports their growth better.

 

[Rylee]

Ok i will try your suggestions next time i feed. I already got some more fuzzies.

 

[Josh2]

Like jetfire said, get that rodent hot. I put mine out to thaw then put them under a heat lamp for a bit, rotating them every once in a while to get them nice and warm - not hot - but really warm. Close to body temperature. Snakes sense heat, if the prey isn't hot enough they will not be interested.

 

[Rylee]

Ok that sounds good. I'll let you know how it goes in a week.

 

[Gopherhockey03]

To feed my BP's I take out the Rat soak it in hot water for an hour then take a blow dryer to it! Lucky for me I have three little piggies All three of my Female BP's have yet to refuse a meal!

 

[Rylee]

Sorry I haven't kept up with this post, they didn't eat they hot-water soaked ones. Hehe mine are more picky, but i recently found a way i can get live mice pretty easy so thanks for the advice but i dont think i'll need it!

 

[Geckomaster743]

You should buy live and then use a Helium tank. You wont find many videos on Helium but manly CO2 which is bad. CO2 gas chamber rat killing causes them to know whats happening as they lose air and they panic which is why they run around a lot, When some one is high because of Helium * Such as at the dentist * they are unaware of whats happening and feel like falling asleep, CO2 Tends to have that choking feeling or drowning feeling. So my suggestion, Buy a Helium tank or find some source of Helium gas, Put it in a box with a lid and rats ( Your going to have to do some research i dont own snakes so I dont do this on a regular basis. And then use tweezers and move them around. They are only around a 1$ at the most for a fuzzy and I DO NOT SUGGEST THIS FOR THOSE THAT DONT WANT TO WATCH A RAT DIE. I have a rat that was supposed to be food but I took him home with me from a show and you can get them in large quantities there c:

 

[Jetfire]

I always just used to put the rats in a pillow case, and just whacked it wicked hard on a hard surface. Only takes one good shot to do the trick, and the pillowcase will catch any potential blood from the rodent. Just toss it in with the snake while the rodent is still twitching, and you're done.
I know this might sound a bit harsh, but it's quicker than slowly suffocating the rat.

 

[jenna]

I have always wondered how people got F/T critters warmed up. That is good to know about the hot water, it also makes sense with the snakes being cold blooded. And good to know if I ever get a snake.

 

[Amanda1]

Jacob-I've always heard using CO2 for euthanasia is like falling asleep too. I've also seen it used on rats several times, and never observed them in any distress.

Tanner-Last I heard you were afraid of snakes, and now you have some? I think we need an update. With pictures.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Are you sure? I heard that CO2 is what triggers their fear. I prefer helium any way, Its your choice.

 

[Amanda1]

Pretty sure...CO2 is in the air all the time anyway (at a small percentage, but still). And I've been hearing about helium shortages, so the price may start going up on that.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Lol alright, I just want the Rat or mice to feel the least amount of pain before going. Drowning and being Burned if you ask me are the worst ways to go down.

 

[Amanda1]

I've also heard that breaking the neck is quick and painless if you do it right. I thinks being slowly suffocated by a snake would be a pretty bad way to go too.