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Getting an adult snake to switch to f/t?

Nataiani88

Nataiani88

New member
I need some help with an adult corn snake I just took in. She won't eat the f/t mice I offer and I'm running out of tricks to try. I try wiggling, tapping the mouse gently down her side, cutting the mouse open, and scenting the mouse with used mouse litter. I really want to get her switched to f/t, anyone have anything else is can try?


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I'd let her get hungry. I'd wait three weeks after her last live meal, with no offerings in between, then try her with a fresh-killed mouse. If she refuses, I'd try again in a week.

I don't think tricks are of any benefit- she already knows how to eat mice.

I think I'd first try offering the mouse, at night, in a very small feeding container. Cover it up with a towel and just leave her overnight without checking.

If she takes it, I'd either repeat in two weeks, or try a FT, thawed as hot as your tap water will go, and then blow-dried to very hot and dry.
 
I've never had any of my corns refuse f/t for long. My BPs are another story, however. Some of them can be quite reluctant, so I've developed a bit of an arsenal of tricks over the years.

The one I find has the most universal success is to dip the head of the prey item in VERY hot (near boiling, and if it does actually boil I don't consider that too hot) water for about 10-15 seconds. Then I let it cool/drip for maybe just 2 seconds, and offer it to the snake. I've had almost 100% success rate with this method, combining it with the zombie mouse dance if necessary.

With a corn, I think you would also have a good chance of success just leaving her alone over night with the mouse, as Nanci suggested.

If she's an adult, and otherwise healthy, she can go a long time without food without any ill effects at all. It won't hurt her to get a little hungry, and it will help switch her over. I'd offer food only once a week, or possibly wait longer than that between attempts. If she doesn't take the f/t, make her wait until the next time around. Just weigh her regularly, and if she does start to lose weight, you may have one of the rare corns that just can't be convinced to eat anything but live.
 
As a reference, my adults are fed either every two or every three weeks, and gain weight on that schedule, so it isn't much of a hardship for a healthy adult snake to go three weeks between meals.
 
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