mice vs rats- weight/fullness

[ShaleneRafuse]

I just went to my local petstore to buy a couple mice to feed Ferb and they were all out, didn't have live or frozen. But, they did have rat fuzzies (thats what they called them, have no idea actually what rat fuzzies look like, these ones had fur but didn't see yet), anyways, I took one because Ferb was hungry and he's a kickass eater, so I figured I would try and see. Well...he ate that rat like nothing. Here's my question... are rats more filling than mice? He's been eating every five days on mice. Should I stick with that, or is a rat going to keep him fuller longer?
Thanks guys!

[Skittles1101]

I'd switch to rats as soon as possible, last thing you want is a mouser. Adult ball pythons would need like 3-4 mice at a time per feeding I think, as opposed to one proper sized rat. They may not necessarily be "better", but IMO it's a good switch.

[RichsBallPythons]

Ive had a female last 2 years in a row, who is a mouser lay 11 eggs in which all BARELY made it full term. Where my females on rats lay nice plump clutches that are perfect and never need to worry.

Well this season i FINALLY got this one female to eat rats and has been gaining weight. This will be her 3rd season in row and will know if rats make a noticeable difference in egg production/health. For a 07 on mice she peaked at 1400g. Well now on rats shes already back to 1400g and growing after laying eggs 3 months ago.

Once i get her 3rd clutch next spring it will give me the info i need to see if mice or rats are better for females breeding.

If you dont plan on breeding then really dont matter what you want to feed them so long as they eat.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

What you feed is up to you ultimately it is a matter of what works and what is convenient for YOU.

Whether you feed 20 grams worth the rat or 20 grams worth the mice it's really all the same gram per gram.

Now the difference is that as an adult your BP will require multiple preys when feeding mice whereas only one will be needed when feeding rats.

If you feed an adult BP a 80 grams rat it will obviously require 3 mice to achieve the same weight.

So whatever works and is convenient is what YOU should feed.

And for reference this is a rat fuzzy (10 days old eyes still closed)

[BallsUnlimited]

like rich said if its a pet and it eats mice thats fine just make sure you feed it the proper amount. if your breeding or at least planning on breeding i would make the switch over to rats.

[BallsUnlimited]

What you feed is up to you ultimately it is a matter of what works and what is convenient for YOU.

Whether you feed 20 grams worth the rat or 20 grams worth the mice it's really all the same gram per gram.

Now the difference is that as an adult your BP will require multiple preys when feeding mice whereas only one will be needed when feeding rats.

If you feed an adult BP a 80 grams rat it will obviously require 3 mice to achieve the same weight.

So whatever works and is convenient is what YOU should feed.

And for reference this is a rat fuzzy (10 days old eyes still closed)

i miss breeding rats for one reason the tan and white rats that popped up. i loved them so much i made a tan and white colony for them. but then i had shoulder surgery\knee surgery and had to stop for the time being.

[stickyalvinroll]

really it sounds like you're not a breeder and just have snakes for fun. so it really doesnt matter what you feed it. just feed it once a week good sized meals

[gman8585]

Rats are a lot easyer to feed with,one big meal and no having risk a tap on the hand or anything for feeding multiple mice.

[ShaleneRafuse]

Thanks guys! Yeah I am not planning on breeding, at least not anytime soon.

thanks again!

[snake lab]

For years i used to start hatchlings off on mice pinks cause i was always told they have more calcium but for the past 5 years i feed rat pinks to my hatchlings for their first meals and keep em on rats their entire lives. Ive got some huge female balls and im talking gigantic. Ive got 6 girls that are over 4000 grams that have been on rats their whole life and now they eat jumbos. I do however have to take precautions when feeding them cause a rat bite sucks and you can imagine the bite a jumbo can deliver to a ball so i knock em out and yank the teeth. Now i also have 3 girls that i bought a year ago that were fed mice only and they are the same age as my big girls and they only weigh in the 1500 gram range so i dont know if that helps but over the years ive found they put on the weight and hold it better on rats