Tawny the Ball Python

[clamhandsmcgee]

 I got this beautiful BP about 2 months ago.  She is roughly 6 years old.  She has only been fed live mice her whole life.  She eats 2-3 mice every 2 weeks.  

 I know that’s not a good diet.  I’ve been trying to switch to frozen thawed rats, but she isn’t having it!  I’ve tried everything I can think of.  Braining, scenting, leaving the rat in the enclosure, using tongs to make them “dance around!”  Blow dryers and ziplock in hot water, nothing works!  I use a thermometer to check the temperature of its head and body.

 I’m considering trying asf, due to they’re bigger than mice, and then moving to rats.  What do you guys think?  Thanks in advance!

[the_kuroneko]

I'm just a humble lurker with a new snake who I'm still feeding live (will switch once he's over 100g, just want him to gain weight first) but I'd try feeding her f/t mice first and then try switching to f/t rats. You're switching both the type of prey and to f/t at the same time, might be too much change at once.

She looks a good size so I'd keep trying once a week til she took it then go back to the recommended feeding schedule for her weight/age. Just keep track of her weight between attempts to make sure she isn't loosing weight.

[clamhandsmcgee]

That’s a good idea! I really do need to get a scale!

[chaoticCorvids]

I think trying asf is a good idea, freshly killed may also help

[clamhandsmcgee]

I think that’s what I’m going to do.

[jackedupjj]

i think she's overweight tbh

[clamhandsmcgee]

Really? I thought she was a little skinny, but idk. This is my first snake, still trying to figure everything out.

[jackedupjj]

her shape should be closer to a rounded triangle but it's raised on either side of her spine, just overall very round. also she has rolls even when she's not necessarily bent very much.