Trying to chAnge from mice to rats with great difficulties

[rebekahmcdonld86]

I am new here I have a karanda coastal python she is just under a year old I have been trying for few months to get her on to rats nothing is working tried defrosting mice with a rat to even defrosting a baby chicken with a rat on every occasion she sniff it then moves away. I have tried a live rat but didn't take it either I don't know wat to do she is eating two mice a week happily no problem taking them but won't have a bar about the rat

PleSe help

 

[pinefamily]

So defrosting a rat with a mouse to get the smell didn't work? What about braining the rat and then offering it? If this fails, the other option you've got is to give it nothing for a week or two, then offer the appropriate sized rat.
Very nice looking python, btw.
How big an enclosure is it, and how long has your python been in it?

 

[Ramsayi]

Wait until summer when they are really hungry all the time.Thaw a mouse and a rat that are roughly the same size in separate containers.Once defrosted feed the mouse just like you usually do then just as the snake is about to swallow the last of the mouse hand feed the rat directly behind it.Do this for 3 or 4 feeds and you will find it will take rats on its own.I noticed in the other thread that you tried live food.It is totally unnecessary to do this and may even end up causing even more trouble for you in the long run.

 

[rebekahmcdonld86]

I have had her since October last year her enclosed is a starter kit one but she is able to move around easily with out any trouble

What do u mean by braining?

I have tried starving her before it last 7 weeks she did not take it so I have in and have her a mouse as I felt guilty for not giving her food she took it straight away

Today I was told to try defrosting a baby chicken with the rat I left them defrosting above her cage to allow it to become wAs well she attacked it but then once knew it was a rat she moved away and didn't want a bar of it I have tried many different colour rats everything I feel bad about not feeding her I know they can go ages with out food but I know I wouldn't like to starve

 

[PythonLegs]

It's winter, she knows what she's doing.

 

[Planky]

Get a knife or razor Blade and cut the rats head open length ways then offer it head first so it smells the brain juice

or try what ramsayi has said

 

[hayden123113]

I did this method with my olive with great results, going to rats only after 3 feeds: find a natural fibre of some sort like cotton, and tie the rat of about equal size to the mouse on the back of the mouse, can be a bit fiddly but it works great.

 

[Cold-B-Hearts]

Wait until summer when they are really hungry all the time.Thaw a mouse and a rat that are roughly the same size in separate containers.Once defrosted feed the mouse just like you usually do then just as the snake is about to swallow the last of the mouse hand feed the rat directly behind it.Do this for 3 or 4 feeds and you will find it will take rats on its own.I noticed in the other thread that you tried live food.It is totally unnecessary to do this and may even end up causing even more trouble for you in the long run.

Take Ramsayi's advice. This works every time

 

[Amynickid]

First of all your python should have been moved onto rats earlier as it is easier to wean them off mice. rub mice onto the rat. or try holding one defrosted mouse above the rat just before he/she strikes move the mouse of of the way so she takes the rat. takes a lot of coaching. If this doesnt work, how do you move the mice/ rats around to entice your python? you do not need to scent them with mice but it helps to at least peak interest. I use to have to annoy my jungle a tad to get him to strike at the rats. keep trying new things maybe more so new techniques with feeding. for instance maybe touch the pythons tail or face with the rat. so its up in its grill XD

 

[dwmgalloway]

I tried rverything with my imbricata, nothing seemed to work. Followed the rat behind the mouse like a train carriage as ramsayi has stated. Worked straight away never refused a rat again

 

[Amynickid]

I did this method with my olive with great results, going to rats only after 3 feeds: find a natural fibre of some sort like cotton, and tie the rat of about equal size to the mouse on the back of the mouse, can be a bit fiddly but it works great.

easier way, get some decent tongs and hold both the rat and mouse in the tongs. mouse above rat and kinda behind. like a head lenght behind the rat. wiggle it so the mouse is in main view of snake. and when it is about to strike move it so rat is then the main view.

 

[Beans]

This sounds nasty but might help. Cut the nose off a mouse and shove it in the rats mouth and offer that, could help.