How I get ALL MY SNAKES to EAT Frozen rats

[@syntyphon8730]

This got my young ball python from petco to eat, after the workers from petco said he refused to eat for almost 2 weeks. I was beyond worried. Thank you!

[@jasonsworld333]

nice to hear. Same issue. Hes eating but only live, but he was very curious by frozen but for some reason shies away

[@drewand600]

@@jasonsworld333 i have a question so i got a 3 months ball python and tired frozen rats from petco but he rlly just goes away from it or like is scared of it I am wondering do I feed it live or?

[@themonsterbaby]

You was worried after 2 weeks? They go can months sometimes.

[@blar_reptilesnonabaumgardn4541]

It's funny when they miss and get mad at the rat🤣🤣🤣

[@irandavelubrica]

Omg! Yes!!!!

[@goodboy5022]

used to have a spider who yk had wobble and would miss and it was pretty severe wobble so it looked like he was shaking his head no 😭

[@krazyktex1]

Great video! My Western Hognose sometimes goes for 3 months without eating. I've learned to chill out, not worry unless his weight drops or he starts to look poor. I've never had to scent his food. I didn't want him to get dependant on something like scent of I could help it. The simpler you keep the feeding process the better off you are in my humble opinion.

[@janetross1900]

I'm not even going to say it, but you know what I mean. You are so wonderful with your animals! I love how considerate you are of each snake as an individual. I don't know if considerate is the right word, but I hope you get what I mean. Keep up the good work. Sounds cheesy, I know, but I really mean it.

[@BrianKusko]

Janet Ross #ratjuice

[@v.caveda]

THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL VIDEO! Extremely reassuring to me as well. I also really would rather not breed rodents and kept being told that ball python hatchlings would never ever take f/t rats right off the bat, and I was on the fence about even trying to breed my lovely girl out of the fear of starving some newly hatched snakes that didn't know any better to survive. Seeing yours take those f/t rats is such a relief, but even moreso when you said you haven't had to feed live in 4 years and have had none starve, OOF, that destressed me completely about the issue.

[@lauraholzler1417]

My man! I am so with you on the no rats feed frozen thawed. It's really nice to hear that my instincts with these ball pythons are right on track. Patience has been my motto for my collection.

[@Bloodhoundfostermom]

It's so satisfying when all my snakes eat....they all normally do except one when she's in shed all my others eat ...in shed or not ....but I still hold my breath when I offer ...when they hit it....breeth ....happy dance! 👏👏👏😁😁😁

[@calvingarcia1052]

patience... Definitely something to work on for me. this video opened up my mind a little bit, im not sure how or why but it did. Thanks Brian, have a good rest of your day!

[@karennielsen2314]

Thank you for making this video. I put the thawed mouse in a plastic bag and Then put it in hot water. This way the prey isn't soaking wet. I assumed because they have Pits ..heating the prey will make the snake believe its LIVE prey. I just got 2 BPs..2 weeks apart. The first one ate like a champ. I'm waiting a few more days to feed the newer one. Owner says he ONLY will eat Live...so I'm watching this video..in case I truly missed something important...I did- be quiet! Be slow moving. Thank you! And wish me luck with the new one! Thanks

[@harleyjones18]

Thank you for your awsome videos. Definitely bring positivity to this hobby. Learn something almost every time I watch.

[@sandramorrison99]

Great vid Kusko!

[@marymathews8421]

You are a very patient person, but guess with 3 little ones you have to be! The snake that gave the little bit of trouble feeding was a gorgeous snake.

[@vincentthekeeper2163]

Thanks for the honesty in the beginning. I've been keeping snakes for 32 years. I have never had any interest or want to breed rodents. I haven't fed anything live in 8 years.

[@debbiereynolds2307]

So awesome. You are so right. Patience, patience, patience.

[@fantasyballpythons5800]

Great video!!! I especially loved it because I have my first ever clutch shedding out right now, so their first feed will be soon. We got lucky and had nine perfect eggs and nine healthy little hatchlings. I love your content. Keep up the great work!!!

[@guardiansanimalrescuestate7289]

With every video of yours that I watch, I gain more and more respect for you. One of my favorites.

[@JasonACadder]

Great video! The one major piece of advice I give people is to not rush to give their snake live if it refuses f/t. Doing so just rewards the snake for not taking f/t, setting back the switchover process.

[@allgasnobrakes919]

A lot. Of people don’t have the money to waste when their snakes are refusing meals...

[@Cgraseck]

Hey, Didn't realize your were in the Army. Thanks for your service! Cheers, Chris

[@BrianKusko]

Grassypeak nope sorry, that's a buddy of mine's shirt and company. Army Vet with Balls.

[@Cgraseck]

Cool. Thank your buddy for his service for me.

[@indredcold3191]

They have ear holes, they are covered by scaling. I love the videos 👍🐍

[@Leah540]

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this video, it really helped me a lot. I recently got a ball python and he didn’t eat for me when I first tried to feed him, then I moved and had to wait another week to try again. He still didn’t eat but he seemed interested, after watching your video I changed the time I fed him to later in the day, dimmed the lights in my room and made sure it was quiet at least an hour before I tried feeding him and I also let the rat thaw out for a bit in front of his enclosure. I then heated up the rat and fed him successfully, it was such a great feeling for me when he took the rat because I was getting worried, but you video really helped me a lot. Thank you so much!

[@Biomancermorphs]

THANKS BRIAN! Did exactly as you demonstrated and my girl ate after a 3 month hunger strike!

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

Watching them figure it out was cool. But upside-down girl had me cracking up!

[@wajidshah5190]

Looks funny but it’s actually a neurological disease

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

@@wajidshah5190 Aww. That sux. Thanks for the information.

[@themonsterbaby]

​@@wajidshah5190 and idiots keep breeding spider knowing what it can do. Smh

[@doodledogdrawings]

I have a young ball python who had eaten frozen-thawed at the Petco I got her from, but when we tried to feed the same, she absolutely refused it for a day or two. We put a live, same size mouse btw, mouse in her enclosure, and she ate it so so fast. I’m glad you made this!

[@cat-wh8ti]

Snakes usually wont eat for the first 2 weeks anyways

[@doodledogdrawings]

@@cat-wh8ti yeah we got her in October, so we hadn’t had her long

[@evelyn_r]

Hi Brian! Hope you and the fam are doing great. Just wanted to thank you for the vinyl sticker, lol took 3 months but I blame it on the pandemic. All good, really cheered me up,😂🥰

[@DustinLikesJiujitsu]

great video man! im using these tricks going forward.

[@HissyFitPetTherapy]

I like that! I'm not lazy, I'm a master of energy conservation!!!!

[@jeffgilbert7302]

Can't wait to try this. My pieds are very picky and I read they can be more difficult. No problems with my other bp.

[@Mahhkz]

I have an adult ball python who was fed on live mice his whole life. I was worried he wouldn’t take frozen rats, but he absolutely went crazy for them the first few times, even though I got them wet.. He rejected his first frozen rat last week and he doesn’t seem like he will eat this one either. We will see in the morning I guess.

[@franklinj4212]

Oh my god I tried your “Dancing mouse” technique. It worked! Thank you so much!

[@beachaddict7653]

Getting my BP in the mail on Tuesday and I need to switch him from live mice to thawed rat pups. This video helps. Thank you for uploading.

[@alexisb9257]

How did it go?

[@Gottalovecarpetpythons]

Good on you and l am one who really prefers the F/T. Though we are not allowed to feed live, l still wouldnt anyway, so one does need alot of patience. Carpets as babies can be picky eaters too, but once you get them going, they are generally good eaters there after.

[@ameeallen8614]

We got our first clutches this year. I plan on starting all of ours out on f/t if at all possible. Our first clutch hasn't even shed yet, and the rest are still in the egg. One of the things I look for when buying a new snake is if it's eating f/t. Live rats stink and bite and escape, and I just don't want to deal with breeding rats.

[@tessamarie9470]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! We couldn't get our boa to find interest in feeding, and this technique worked instantly!

[@BrianKusko]

Glad it worked!

[@HissyFitPetTherapy]

This is so helpful! A breeder mislead me on his snakes eating live rodents and I hate having to stun them first

[@christhurman8708]

I love all of your content. Keep up the great work.

[@6strings735]

Well done, good info.

[@ReptileRoad]

Nice video! I spent about 2 hrs trying to feed my 10 snakes last night and only 3 of 10 ate. Most of them are pretty new in the last 2 weeks (adults and babies). I let the food defrost in the room all day then heated it up with a heat lamp. I fed them in low light with tongs similarly to how you did it. I guess it will just take time. I know some of my new snakes had been on live feed. I just hate having to throw the rat away. I will try defrosting it one more time but I have a feeling it will smell weird to them at that point. Any tips that maybe I didn't try? Thanks so much!

[@TowProVlogs]

I just got my ball python and he was eating once a week, ever since i got him into a new enclosure than he was in at the reptile store he wont eat. Is this normal? If so, How long does it typically take for him to get comfortable to want to eat again? He is on small frozen rats.

[@BrianKusko]

He was eating once a week with you or at the store? How long have you had him?

[@gerardmoe3471]

I think freedom breeder should give you and I a rodent oven to try out for free LOL

[@Reptile77]

Great video Brian I may have to give frozen a try again because breeding rats is a pain in the ass .also need me some.of that chunk chunk coco I wish some of the big guys in my area carried it I go directly thru a wholesaler for my reptichip it's been ok but way to much loose fibers

[@pedwards4367]

Thank you soo much for this video!! It was very helpful!!

[@eliasrodriguez7522]

Thank you so much for making this video, I was having issues switching my newly adopted ball Python.

[@BrianKusko]

You're welcome!

[@mrbrooks1739]

Hello Brian love from London UK

[@phorestpsy216]

whoa, you made that look easy. I don't have any ball pythons but will have my first clutch of Rosy boas babies on the way, they are way less picky so hopefully shouldn't be a problem.

[@hopedevine1698]

Good morning Brian n family... I found you while watching Miguel on AEP. I have to say I enjoy all your videos n seeing your family in them are amazing. I really wanted to say thank you for all the explaining you do. Alot of people will say do this that, etc n never explain the why.. So with that being said thank you. I have always been afraid of snakes, reason why is the normal we are afraid of the unknown. Watching you, Brian B, Miguel, NERD etc I've truly learned alot I'm no longer afraid of snakes I do see the beauty in them. So again thank you. Also just a fast question I sell jewelry n I'd like to gift your little angels some if that's ok with you. Enjoy your day everyone always share a smile u could be the one who changes someone whole outlook on life. 💙💙

[@BrianKusko]

Hope Devine thank you for the kind words. Glad you're overcoming your fear of snakes and that we're helping with that. I'm sure the little angels would be very excited for that.

[@masonsmorphs]

Yes sir great info. I’d love to meet all you guys when you come to Utah. What city will you be staying in? 👊🏼👊🏼

[@BrianKusko]

Mason’s Morphs SLC for the most part

[@masonsmorphs]

Brian Kusko nice 👍🏼 are you doing any herping? I got a few hot spots.

[@steminist4517]

Hi! So excited to start watching these videos, i am getting a banana python in 2 days - my one concern is when these people rescued this snake , it was starving itself and refused to eat frozen mice but immediately started eating once presented with live mice I just dont know what i should do moving forward- i pick her up in 2 days though

[@emmanuellicup]

Love from the Philippines

[@familyjewels9854]

Nicely done.

[@k.3039]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I have 2 questions though: how many weeks of not eating is ok for a hatchling before you do assisted feeding? And how does assisted feeding look like? Thank you ❤

[@AuroraExotics]

Warm the rodent, make it move like a live one, and wait. Great vid! That's the same technique I use with my boas, though I admit sometimes I do live for a first feeding just to get them started. In the past I lived places where live rodents were hard to come by and I had one baby boa go 4 months without his first meal, stubborn thing. He wasn't losing body condition though, and eventually he ate and did just fine. Like you say, people worry and get impatient, but boid snakes are built to last. I admit I was worried at the time, though! Still a great learning experience.

[@stevelender6852]

Awesome info

[@whateverr472]

Oh my geez thank you so much for this technique and actually showing a method to feed them frozen most people just say it'll only eat live and that's it call it a day thanks to your video we got this stubborn girl ball to finally eat frozen no problem she was on live but after trying your defrost in front of them technique we noticed different behavior instantly

[@RC_Berserker]

What’s wrong with that one? Flipping around all weird and then biting and not wrapping the rodent… looks like it has a disorder

[@chadleever492]

WOW Brian, thank you for making this video!! I am allergic to rats and have struggled with this process for more years than I even care to say. So what if you have some older snakes that won't eat f/t or what if you want to buy an established snake that is only eating live?

[@cheeesefunnel]

ive heard of some people heating the mouse with a hair dryer before they feed

[@nicholasdandrea565]

Good morning buddy

[@BrianKusko]

Nicholas D'Andrea Mornin sunshine

[@zerrotiii7135]

Thank you this really help hopefully my Little guy eats now

[@JRPaquatics]

After my rats are thawed i use a hair blow dryer to heat up them up(low heat so i dont cook them). Doing it this way my rats are dry and it gets the room smelling like rats which drives my snake nuts, they go into a feeding frenzy mode. Every tub i open up i have snakes launching out at me for food so i have to be careful not to get bit.

[@BrianKusko]

I tried this technique the other day using a heat gun on low. Worked really well

[@JRPaquatics]

@@BrianKusko That's great, my heat gun gets to hot, even on a low setting. Id be afraid of fire risks with a heat gun, i can walk away for a couple mins with the hair dryer on low safely. Did your snakes get riled up with the smells in the air?

[@StLMikie]

Boom.

[@rowdyryan9988]

“Uncut” intro stays undefeated

[@BrianKusko]

It's the most consistent thing that ever happened on this channel 😅

[@keithsheppardpiano]

Just got my first ball python, and the breeder who had him started him on live mice. I’m hoping it won’t be hard to switch to frozen/thawed. How long did you let the mouse thaw in front of the cage?

[@fuzznutzz3080]

I've never had issues switching from live to f/t. I've had a had time getting mouse eaters to switch to rats. And tips? I've found when switching to f/t if you feed a few live meals. Then skip a few meals. Then offer f/t the first meal after skipping a few. 95% of them will take them. My only issue I have with f/t is the amount of waste I have. Ones that don't eat on feeding day. That's a wasted rat and gets tossed in the trash. That's one plus to feeding live is a bit cheaper. I do have a small group of 8 animals that will only take live mice. Wish I could do 100% f/t. Maybe someday.

[@cshingler78]

I have two ball pythons that will not switch over. I had a lot of patients but my female was starting to get thin so I gave in.

[@Fousse]

Great video! I just got a baby ball python and my question is how often do you feed your baby ball pythons? I've had mine for over a week and she is still curling up in a ball and she hasn't eaten for me yet. I am doing frozen thawed.

[@754welive5]

Damn so you have to sit there all day holding a rat for 30 snakes😂😂😂

[@RZFitnessTV]

'damn. This video is definitely helping me out with my first python!

[@akimapleton5393]

Thank you so much for this video. I used your tricks and my baby finally ate!!! 😊🖤🐍🖤👌🏽👍🏽

[@BrianKusko]

That is awesome!

[@Ashley-vm1bd]

i thaw in luke warm water in a ziploc baggie but then take a metal bowl under a heat lamp for a few minutes to get them toasty. i feel like putting them directly in water takes away from the scent…. my ball FINALLY took a frozen bc i figured out how to get them hot enough.

[@BrianKusko]

Good job!

[@luvlost03]

From a customer's perspective I appreciate you feeding f/t its the first thing I ask when purchasing a snake i don't even bother looking at one's that are being fed live.

[@tonyamitchell2143]

SAME! :)

[@jonflannery8984]

I breed my own rodents but I’d prefer F/T as well. Even if it’s a fresh cull unless it’s just an attempt to get a stubborn eater to feed on a smaller live item I’ll do fresh kill. Like he said it’s easy to go from F/T to live but harder to go the other way. I could definitely see the benefit of feeding live to a large number of hatchlings though. Very tastefully done feeding video. Thanks for good snake content Brian.

[@kellyhope8248]

Great job

[@darkbowranger96]

Definitely going to switch my boa over. He’s eating live adult mice & had three meals with me so far. Definitely worried about when he’s up to rats, going to try to switch now before he gets too used to live. Wish I woulda been patient at first

[@6strings735]

Boas usually eat thawed w/o any hesitation. There is no process really, just do it.

[@darkbowranger96]

@@6strings735 just figured this out! He just took his second F/T tonight. The first few live meals really fired up his feeding response like crazy now.

[@unstoppableExodia]

You do you mah dood. But if I was ever to get into the reptile breeding business I would breed feeders to sell frozen feeders as well as live feeders to bring in additional income while saving on feed costs. And I more than likely would do supervised live feedings. I like seeing snakes in hunting mode and there’s be a convenience in letting the snake do the dirty work

[@peixa79]

Thank you, great tips!

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

Patience must also be very important for getting hognose to eat regularly from the tongs as well... I have had my hognose snake for 2.5 weeks and he's eaten twice. I have offered him food 5 times...hopefully that's not too much. I would say that I try to feed him about every 3-5 days. He's a little guy. So I have been told he should have about 2 pinks a week.

[@gene_pool_exotics3261]

Great video! My man...is your hatchling rack a CSerpents V-18 rack thats got FB tubs?? Please tell me this is what I'm seeing!?!

[@BrianKusko]

That's basically what you're seeing

[@Hamburglar009]

Excellent video. I have a 10 year old ball python that’s been eating live prey hia whole life. I’d much prefer to feed frozen/thawed for the safety of the animal at least. He’s been eating 1 small rat (not weened, but an adult just a small adult) every 2-4 weeks, depending on his interest in food, and he also takes a hiatus from eating for 3-6 months every year in the winter. Do you think with patience and trickery it would be possible to get him eating f/t?

[@safehavencarequality1516]

Wow,, that’s incredible and since 2016 I commend you

[@canttriforceforcrap]

This is good for me to see. I’ve put off getting a ball python because of not being able to feed frozen food. Also side question what is the name of these morphs ? They are beautiful

[@100camotommy]

whiskey.....love it bro HI-5 LOL

[@BrianKusko]

🖐

[@federicogonzalez7614]

i like that you said about how they can hear from your vibration. during feeding time i get how tones could effect, but when not feeding time have you ever put a snake around your neck and sang a song to see how they react? the vibration through your throat on their body could make a reaction, hopefully good one. Love from Oregon

[@brooklyntyrrell6823]

Wow you’re so informative, first vid I’ve seen by you I’m def subscribing ☺️🫶

[@BrianKusko]

Yay! Thank you!

[@crisgon6824]

I'm gonna be getting my first snake soon. Soooo excited!! But I am worried about the feedings. My thought is to hold out until I find the right snake for me. That would mean it's already on frozen/thawed. Is this something I really need to worry about? I know I must be prepared for a live feeding but I just don't want to start that way. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

[@BrianKusko]

Ball pythons can be weird about feeding. It's good to keep that in mind so that you're not too stressed if they miss a few meals here and there.

[@StLMikie]

Was that the first feeding for those guys? That has to be a great feeling when they start eating like that.

[@BrianKusko]

stlmikie this was their 3rd or so. None of them actually took the first time

[@laytonjefeflynn]

I recently got my first Ball Python at the beginning of August. It was on small live adult mice when he came. I immediately switched him to Frozen Thawed Adult small mice no issue. The first three times I used the tech u demonstrated here and now I have switched the last two times to simple laying the frozen thawed small mice in there. Each time he successfully ate no issues. When should I switch him to rats?? Should I offer him to start the fuzzy rats like in ur video? I do want him on rats but I am nervous about the switch...any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[@BrianKusko]

Scenting the mice with rat smell is your best option IMO. To semi quote my favorite movie of all time though..A hungry snake'll eat anything 😅

[@laytonjefeflynn]

Brian Kusko thank you so much I will try that! I appreciate u taking some time to offer some advice!

[@Salty_Sals]

I guess I’ll start watching your KZbin videos again 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@BrianKusko]

Ball & Chain Constrictors no don't do that

[@Salty_Sals]

Brian Kusko 🤣🤣🤣

[@lovealwaysjasmine]

My corn snake won’t eat at all. It’s been 2 weeks and she’s not showing signs of shedding. Please help!

[@allgasnobrakes919]

How many hatchlings if any have you ever lost due to Never eating when fresh out the egg?? I was always told to offer Live for their first 5 or 6 meals or so...Great, informative video Brian!! Salute

[@BrianKusko]

I've NEVER lost a hatchling due to not eating 😎🎉

[@blackdahliareptiles403]

those snakes could take rat fuzzies all day i never give my hatchlings pinkies, not enough to help them grow

[@BrianKusko]

Those were fuzzies. At least that's what I bought them as..

[@jaytee.tompkins]

Yeah, my ball pythons will not eat anything that isn't live. It's frustrating... but my retic, she'll eat prey anyway she can have it.

[@bobsloan9930]

I tried everything then saw a video on thawing then putting in hot water - ALL of my stubborn BP's ate the first time I tried this

[@greventhebeast]

Awesome 🙂👍🏻always naice when all eat 😀

[@elionogueira5113]

This helped a looooot with my babies! Thank you

[@shellyb2042]

Snake 3 was shook the ceiling just opened up lol like what kinda burrow is this!! They are all so cute!! Would u suggest the same thing for a lil older snakes?? Idk why pet stores switch them over to live, prob bc they are lazy! I wish they didn't bc like you said it's harder to get them on frozen than to switch over to live!! Smh

[@user-cr8vy2hs7o]

How long is too long to be patient? My baby Rosy boa has not eaten thawed pinkies for over a week and I'm getting worried. Her breeder was feeding her live.

[@vladnegin5918]

Only thing I’m confused about is that you put the rats straight in the water and not in a plastic bag first, somebody told me before you have to put the rat in a bag because if you just put it in the water, the rat will lose its smell, is that true?

[@BrianKusko]

I imagine it would put out more scent if it wasn't wet. Sometimes I'll opt for dry feeders if I'm not getting the feeding response I want.

[@panicsoundsystem]

I have the same „pastel“ ball python. But I only can feed life, because she attacks the feeding tungs. I’ll try it again, but next time I let the mouse in the enclosure. As a nocturnal snake, I only feed at night because she won’t eat at day. But I’m afraid the snake gets hurt by the mouse or the mouse eats the thermostat sensor, because she needs half an hour to catch the mouse. And of course I don’t want the mice to suffer. They are not the usual white laboratory mice with red eyes, they are brownish patterned with black eyes - really beautiful and cute.

[@taylorbellomy9535]

Excuse me, can you tell me how often are you offering food to your BP hatchlings?

[@BrianKusko]

Every 5-7 days

[@abdelrodriguez7093]

I have a small ball python who hasn’t eaten, recently got her. I’m not sure if maybe I’m buying too big of a mouse but I also feel like pinkys are too small?

[@andrewnail2563]

hey man i really got good info from this video. I have some questions tho so I'm really hoping u see this comment. Im purchasing an adult male ball python soon and he's 6 years old and full grown, about 5 1/2 feet rn. he's feeding on large live rats but I'm hoping to transition him into f/t. so my questions would be how do u recommend doing that? also how often should I feed him? as well as he currently is living in a 25gallon enclosure but i do know that fully grown they should have a bigger enclosure. I've been told 55gallon would be good. so what do u recommend? should I keep him in the 25g or switch him to something larger? how can I transition him to f/t? and how often would be a healthy feeding schedule for him? I'm well rounded with snake care but am inexperienced when it comes to fully adult bp/s.