rats vs. mice

[afeedfromcloudmtn.]

So I've heard that rats are better for BPs to eat, but what I'm wondering is why? I'm a newbie owner, I've had my male BP for almost 3 months now, and I have him on f/t small rats... I've heard that some snakes have preferences, but people are always seeming to want their BPs to eat rats. I'm just curious.

[TheWinWizard]

Less fat, more protein, and mice can only get so big.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Easier to feed one rat that multiple mice is the only real reason.

I personally feed whatever they want to eat as long as they are eating

[mskeebster]

I prefer to feed rats since I rather not do multiple feedings for a single BP as you would with mice. But sometimes they're just mousers which is why I have mice colonies too.

[satomi325]

I feed rats because I would rather feed a single rat compared to multiple mice.
Also, I breed my own feeders and mice smell horrid. Rats have great hygiene and don't smell as bad.

Less fat, more protein, and mice can only get so big.

Actually rats have a higher fat content. Otherwise, their nutritional value is relatively identical.

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[afeedfromcloudmtn.]

well that makes sense. thanks guys! :]

[royal constrictor]

because mice are for cornsnakes..... nah im just joking imma go with what everyone else said

[kitedemon]

There are charts with nutritional break downs of prey mammals. The debate about value is a bit sketchy as the real question is what exactly are the nutritional needs of a royal python. Believe that rats provide better value marginally but that is a best guess. Rats are more economical and clearly easier. My largest female would need for a 10% meal about ten jumbo mice (50gm) to one jumbo rat (500gm) . (it is debatable if a 5000 gm female should have 10% meals but to illustrate the point...)