What size mouse/rat should my ball be eating?

[Mr Green]

Here are some pictures of him to get an idea of his size. I've been feeding him two adult size mice every 7-10 days and I don't think that's enough. My plan was to try a rat the next go around, but I'm just not sure if he's ready for one. What do you guys think?

[dgring]

I would personally feed weaned rats every 7 days (roughly) but depends how fussy your snake is and if it will take rats

[Mr Green]

I would personally feed weaned rats every 7 days (roughly) but depends how fussy your snake is and if it will take rats

Would a weaned rat weigh more than an adult mouse?

Also I'm going to pick up a wean rat or larger today and see if he takes it.

[dgring]

Here is a chart, rats however have a better fur to fat ratio and if i am not mistaken are better for bp's, this being said many are fussy eaters and will refuse rats and that is not bad for the snake and will not harm it if being fed in the right quantities, some of mine are mousies

[Crazymonkee]

If he's eating 2 adult mice you could go with a small rat.

[dgring]

If he's eating 2 adult mice you could go with a small rat.

Ya, sorry, I didnt notice he was eating two, a small rat may work, generally i go by the girth of the snake, if the rat is wider than the widest point on the snake it is to big, if it is the same, perfect

[Mr Green]

Well I purchased two small F/T rats and put one in his cage. He struck it, but won't eat it. He keeps sniffing it and going back into his hide.

[Crazymonkee]

Make sure it's warm enough, rats will take a lil longer to heat than mice.

[Mr Green]

I'm confused. So I ended up throwing the first rat away because he didn't eat it after 2 hours.

I try another one today and he strikes and eats it.

I guess I can say my ball is now feeding on rats?

[jlesley]

Are you just placing the rat in the cage? I always dangle the rats and do a little zombie dance. Gets her attention and while she's wrapped around it I shake it a bit with the tongs. Never had an issue.