Break Down?

[jjnnbns]

I got my pair of JCP a couple of weeks ago and am trying to get them switched over to rats (F/T) and they wont take. They seem even quite reluctant to take mice. I have to dangle them for quite a bit to get them to finally take the mouse... slowly. If I go the route I am planning (offer rats, only rats, about once a week) will they eventually eat or could I end up causing them to starve to death? Please give me any opinions!

[Derrick]

one of mine went 2 months before it took a rat for me. I had to really piss it off too. Lots of light body taps. kept getting defensive strikes and finally she just ment nuts and constricted the hell out of it. I put a towel over the enclosure an hour later it was gone. as long as its hydrated I wouldnt worry too much.

I also used to use pinky mouse brains to scent the head of the rats for my male.

[gonesnakee]

I see that these are your first Pythons also? In case you aren't aware pythons require the prey to be heated up a considerable amount more than a cornsnakes prey would be. Alot of first time python owners feeding problems can be solved quite simply be heating the prey up to a nice warm temp & some simple tease feeding techniques. Feeding at night will work much better for you also. I'm not saying that you aren't going about it right, but 9/10 people that I've dealt with that had feeding problems with pythons it wasn't the snake it was the keepers feeding methods. How long have you waited between meals to try to get them on rats? If it hasn't been at least a month or 2, no wonder you haven't been successful. Most people don't realize that snakes can go for months & months & months with out eating with no problems. The easiest way to switch from mice to rats is to let them go hungry for a month or 2 & then at night use some nicely heated rats & some tease feeding & with any luck WHAM. I don't know how many people I've talked to that are all worried that their snake hasn't eaten for a few weeks. Yeah so no big deal & nothing to worry about. If you break down every 2 or 3 weeks & feed mice the snake will never take rats. Why would it, when all it has to do is wait a week or 2 to get what it wants. Starve them for a while & read up on various feeding techniques & you will eventually succeed. Good Luck Mark

[jjnnbns]

Thanks guys!

I'll try that, gonesnakee!

[Piers]

I put young rats in with my mice for a week or so then feed the python I'm tring to switch over. this usually work after a few trys,though some of the snakes are more stubborn than others!
And I agree with the hot food idea, especially when dealing with f/t over f/k,at least in my experience.
Piers