Mouse to Rat Conversion

[thedarkwolf25]

Right now I have Hera on a medium and a small mouse feeding. I give her one of each which is usually around 35g, she weighs 250 so the amount is fine. What I am wondering is what size rat does that approximate?

I'm looking to switch her over to rats since from what I have heard they are more nutritious and I would only have to feed her one rat instead of 2-3 mice. Does anyone know what size I would be looking at?

[LeviBP]

A 35g rat is of the "weaned" variety. Although, some "weaned" rats get as big as 40g. If you want a size smaller you would be looking at a rat pup, which tops off at about 30g, so weaned should be just right for you

[Superdan]

some snakes can be difficult with the transition from mice to rats so its best to change the sooner the better but at her weight now, i wouldn't worry too much, mine's 400g and im still feeding her on 1 large mouse a week at about 38g. the next size up for her is weener rats anyway so im sticking at 10-15% feeding guidline untl she's big enough!

[thedarkwolf25]

Sweet thanks! I was worried that I might get one that is waaaay too big for her but weaned is perfect for her.

[dryates]

Weaned rat ftw also it depends if ur doing live or ft if ft u can go a little bigger

[LeviBP]

Haha no problem.

Hey dryates, why can you go a little bigger on F/T, that's an intriguing concept that I've never heard before, I'm interested to get the science on this one

[thedarkwolf25]

Yeah I only feed her F/T, IF I ever needed to then I would feed her live but F/T is way easier for us.

BTW does anyone know where I can get a good thermostat w/o forking over an arm and a leg? It only needs to control 2-3 heat sources, and I would love it if it was under say $75.

[LeviBP]

Probably online. Can't go wrong with Amazon! Unless you have a nice reputable supplier in your area.

[thedarkwolf25]

Well the 2 places we go are PetsMart (which has nothing like this) and Scales 'N Tails which is a local chain that is great but the only have a rheostat. I have found 2 online but the only have 1 probe, why support multiple heat sources yet only have one probe? It makes no sense.

[dryates]

Petco has an on/off thermostat I've only been able to find a rheostat at petsmart, best bet is online if u don't have good petstore. Btw the reason u can feed a little bigger is because of the freezing process, the bones are not as hard to squeeze and break making it easier to get a larger prey down, also when I say bigger, I don't mean if u feed pups it can take a wean, or if u have small rat u can go medium I mean one that is equal to or slighty larger then the width of the snake and if u happen to have to get a small rat but urs is on weaned then it should be ok, just keep in mind larger prey take longer to digest, so if u have been feeding 30 gram weaned then one that is several grams more isn't gonna hurt, just don't overfeed, and if a prey is too big they either won't eat it, or will most likely not finish eating