Dangers of live feeding rats vs mouse

[tdrusk]

I was in a pet shop and was told that it was dangerous to feed my bp a rat because rats know where to bite ball pythons(behind head) and could potentially kill them.

Is any of this true? Should I have any fear when switching from feeding live mice to feeding live rats? I am going to post some measurements on my bp just so I know that he is big enough to feed rats later on today.

[BoostedMX3]

There's nothing wrong with feeding live if done with supervision and some basic rules..

Dont feed your snake a hungry or thirsty rat
dont antagonize and stress the rat b4 dropping it in
And don't leave the rat in there for more then 30 min

Personally I watch untill she kills it and keep on standby with a pen I case she doesn't hit the nose.. I can then shove the pen in the rats mouth to prevent it biting back..

Most importantly feed the appropriate sized rat when u do feed.. Better to go multiple meals or feed more often with smaller rats then to do one your snake might not be able to kill.

- - - Updated - - -

Live mice would have the same rules as well as same dangers

[tdrusk]

Great to hear. I really am more comfortable with the mice. Are there any problems with feeding mice more frequently for a male bp?

[Anatopism]

I've never seen a rat "know where to bite" a snake.... If given the opportunity while being constricted, they will chew and grab onto anything that is close to their mouth in an attempt to be released, but most of my snakes grab the rat in a way that this cannot happen, they move their coil out of the way if the teeth are close, or I'm standing there with a spoon to stick between the rat's teeth and snake's skin.

If supervised, the chance of serious (or even minor) injury to your snake is incredibly unlikely (I only ever step in to assist with LARGE rats.. I've seen many of my snakes get bit and have no bite wounds - they're tougher than people give them credit for).

There is no problem with feeding mice to a ball python, but keep in mind as they get larger, you'll be spending $2-5 per mouse (depending on where you're getting them) AND need to feed multiple mice ($15 or more purchase) vs. feeding a single appropriately sized rat ($3-$10 depending on where you're getting them)... that's if your snake will take multiple prey items in one sitting.

[tdrusk]

I've never seen a rat "know where to bite" a snake.... If given the opportunity while being constricted, they will chew and grab onto anything that is close to their mouth in an attempt to be released, but most of my snakes grab the rat in a way that this cannot happen, they move their coil out of the way if the teeth are close, or I'm standing there with a spoon to stick between the rat's teeth and snake's skin.

If supervised, the chance of serious (or even minor) injury to your snake is incredibly unlikely (I only ever step in to assist with LARGE rats.. I've seen many of my snakes get bit and have no bite wounds - they're tougher than people give them credit for).

There is no problem with feeding mice to a ball python, but keep in mind as they get larger, you'll be spending $2-5 per mouse (depending on where you're getting them) AND need to feed multiple mice ($15 or more purchase) vs. feeding a single appropriately sized rat ($3-$10 depending on where you're getting them)... that's if your snake will take multiple prey items in one sitting.

Thanks so much! I will post a picture of my snake and let you guys decide if he is ready for a rat.

[Anatopism]

If you can find rats the proper size, your snake it always ready for a rat

[Mike41793]

My snakes know where to bite the rats before the rats get a chance to demonstrate their knowledge of snake anatomy and its vulnerabilities.

[bbaker11]

Hey guys, I am new here and thought I would jump in if that was okay. Most of the time when something happens such as your snake being injured or kill by the rat. Its "your" fault. I am personally speaking from experience. When I was younger , like 13 my mom bought me a ball python. Had her for four years, loved her to pieces. Well I threw a rat in before school, when I came in the rat had nearly chewed her in half. She ended up dying and I took her to the vet. They said there was nothing to do. It was totally my fault. I am getting ready to get another BP, and I am 24. Much more mature and responsible. But this is only my second BP. PLEASE give me any advice that you feel is important for me to know!

[Annarose15]

There's nothing wrong with feeding live if done with supervision and some basic rules..

Dont feed your snake a hungry or thirsty rat
dont antagonize and stress the rat b4 dropping it in
And don't leave the rat in there for more then 30 min

Personally I watch untill she kills it and keep on standby with a pen I case she doesn't hit the nose.. I can then shove the pen in the rats mouth to prevent it biting back..

Most importantly feed the appropriate sized rat when u do feed.. Better to go multiple meals or feed more often with smaller rats then to do one your snake might not be able to kill.

- - - Updated - - -

Live mice would have the same rules as well as same dangers

^ These rules will keep this from happening. v

Hey guys, I am new here and thought I would jump in if that was okay. Most of the time when something happens such as your snake being injured or kill by the rat. Its "your" fault. I am personally speaking from experience. When I was younger , like 13 my mom bought me a ball python. Had her for four years, loved her to pieces. Well I threw a rat in before school, when I came in the rat had nearly chewed her in half. She ended up dying and I took her to the vet. They said there was nothing to do. It was totally my fault. I am getting ready to get another BP, and I am 24. Much more mature and responsible. But this is only my second BP. PLEASE give me any advice that you feel is important for me to know!

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and my sympathies for your loss. The search function is your friend in this forum, and definitely check out the Caresheet section if you haven't yet.

[DooLittle]

I've never seen a rat "know where to bite" a snake.... If given the opportunity while being constricted, they will chew and grab onto anything that is close to their mouth in an attempt to be released, but most of my snakes grab the rat in a way that this cannot happen, they move their coil out of the way if the teeth are close, or I'm standing there with a spoon to stick between the rat's teeth and snake's skin.

If supervised, the chance of serious (or even minor) injury to your snake is incredibly unlikely (I only ever step in to assist with LARGE rats.. I've seen many of my snakes get bit and have no bite wounds - they're tougher than people give them credit for).

There is no problem with feeding mice to a ball python, but keep in mind as they get larger, you'll be spending $2-5 per mouse (depending on where you're getting them) AND need to feed multiple mice ($15 or more purchase) vs. feeding a single appropriately sized rat ($3-$10 depending on where you're getting them)... that's if your snake will take multiple prey items in one sitting.

All this ^

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Tapatalk 2