Digger my 10 year old KSB

[Bloutitt]

Okay so today, I learned that you cant teach dogs new tricks and/or snakes... After 10 years of feeding live, I decided to try to switch to F/T to see if it will work. The only reason I would like to switch is because the place is a real inconvenience to get too... so if I could get a bunch of frozen it would help.

So I did the usual, I put my snake into his feeding tank (20x12.5x10), thawed and heated up the mouse, and even made it look lively with the tongs I purchased, but still nothing. He struck at it once and then let go...

So guys the real point is there anyway to get him to eat these F/t mice...?
Or any other tips/suggestions I could try?

Thanks in advance!

[erichillkeast]

One trick that worked for me with my royal, was to scent the mouse with shavings. The easiest way to do that is to get a bag of the smelliest shavings you can from a pet shop, then stick the frozen feeder in the bag with the shavings, and place the bag into hot water to that and heat the feeder. When its heated jiggle it around in front of the snake and it might go for it. If it is a shy snake you can just toss it into the enclosure close it, and leave the room with the light off. Then check on it in the morning to see if he ate.

It might take a few weeks, but once it is good and hungry it will go for the mouse.

[valid]

I have heard that it is very difficult to get any snake to switch over.
I am no expert by any means though.

I have only ever fed my sand boa f/t and he seems to do well - tongs never did a thing for me. If anything the snake moved away rather than try to go for the prey. I also have to keep my mouse/feeding area warm, or else my snake won't touch it. Maybe try putting a heating pad, or warm towel underneath when you feed.. Dipping the mouses head in warm water has helped as well. Just tricks that have helped with my personal snake.

I hope you can get him to eat for you c:

[Bloedig]

I just switched my new Albino KSB over from live to F/T and it was pretty easy. Got warm water from tap (115 deg) put pinky in a plastic bag and thawed out. Once thawed I topped off water again (115 deg from tap) and let it warm up. Mouse ended up at just over 90 deg. Used tongs to "dance" it around in front of Jangwa and he hit it hard. He messed around with it for 5 minutes or so and then lost interest. I then did the "tong dance" again and he hit it hard and ate it down on this second try.

I might add that this was at 10 days after his last live feed. It may pay to wait an extra few days over your regular feeding and try.

[RyanReptile]

Making sure the mouse is warm is very important if this still doesn't work try splitting the head of the mouse, it has has worked wonders for me.

[KORBIN5895]

Do what eric said and leave a warm mouse in the regular enclosure overnight.

[Snakesitter]

In addition to the suggestions above, keep at it. Even a few more weeks will not hurt the snake -- they are designed to survive long fasts. But the longer he goes, the hungrier (and more amenable to f/t) he will get. (Longer within reason, of course -- maybe up to a month?)

[Bloutitt]

Thanks guys for all the help! Yeah even when he eats live he doesnt eat for id say very 20-26 days.

[Bloutitt]

UPDATE: I finally got him to eat the F/T only way it could be done is putting it in his Cage and leaving the room... 5 mins later WHAM gone! =D Im a happy man! So I guess feeding him outside of his cage is not going to be a possibility.

[Bloedig]

Good deal!

[Bloutitt]

Originally Posted by Bloedig

Good deal!

I thought so!

[Snakesitter]

Some snakes just prefer their food that way. So long as he eats, you know? Congrats!

[Mark Taylor]

Well done getting the snake to eat F/T.
I would have suggested feeding in it's own enclosure.

[Bloedig]

Agree. Finding more and more with my KSB that he is way more comfortable in his enclosure to feed. I am also finding that he starts "hunting" more and more as it gets closer to the next feeding day.

[Bloutitt]

Thanks everyone once again.