06/28/2023
As requested, here's HOW to switch your snake to frozen/thawed and/or pre-killed prey. :) I discussed it a while back, but I can't find the post so I'll just make another post.
Any snake can be swapped to f/t or fresh killed. Some can be more challenging, but any snake eventually will cave and take it regularly. For those with heat pits, always make sure the f/t is a few degrees warmer than your own body temperature.
1) Scenting.
This is by far the easiest, and most efficient method, in our opinion. We usually throw a handful of dirty rodent bedding in the bag with them while they defrost. It makes them extra stinky, the snakes go nuts for it. They also sell scenting sprays (Reptilinks sells some), but I've never had to use those. It may benefit some people though!
2) Leaving/Covering The Enclosure.
Some snakes are simply shy eaters. They see/smell you and will NOT take it. Covering the enclosure with a blanket and leaving the prey where they can see it can usually fix this. Some people will recommend leaving it overnight, but we usually only do a couple hours at most because the thought of a rodent decomposing overnight grosses me out. 😂 I suppose the duration which you leave it is up to your discretion.
3) Braining.
This is the last effort, and the worst one (for me at least). It involves taking something sharp and poking a hole through the rodent's eye into where the brain is, and squeezing some out. Something about this specifically usually makes the snake take it, maybe it's just a more appetizing smell for them. Again, make sure it's a little extra warm when you do this. We don't promote this option a whole lot just because it's a bit unsettling to do, but it IS an option if the others don't work.
And last of all, don't panic if your snake misses a feed. Don't even panic if they skip 2-3 feeds, sometimes more than that if they're particularly picky. These animals, especially adults, can go a LONG time without eating. Missing a few feeds is not going to starve them, and the extra hunger will make them more inclined to take the F/T prey. They will take it, it just takes some time and extra patience sometimes.
Pic of Tiny Tina, who immediately took f/t for us after 12yrs of live. Boas have a fantastic feed response though, very rarely any issues with them.
