Prey size for new 134 gram BP?

[artgecko]

Hello all,

I just purchased my first BP at a show on Saturday and wanted your opinions on prey item size. The breeder said she is already eating f/t and at first said that she was on small adult mice, but when I asked "so she hasn't been switched over to rats yet?" he said that he alternates between mice and rats when feeding and said that she could also take rat pups.. I am unfamiliar with size similarities between mice / rats, so wanted to check with you guys and see if a rat pup seemed an appropriate size for her (and is a suitable replacement for a small adult mouse). When I weighed her Saturday, she was 134 grams.

I have both frozen small mice and rat pups on hand, but would rather feed the pups if possible (have other snakes that will be eating small mice soon and none eating rat pups).

Thanks for your time and help!

[George1994]

I'd say rat pup. Go for one about the size of the largest part of her body, this is what most people go by.

[MJT_23]

The rat pups may be a little big, but won't hurt her. Feed the pups if it's more convenient for you.

[George1994]

The rat pups may be a little big, but won't hurt her. Feed the pups if it's more convenient for you.

Yeah, smaller end of the spectrum, maybe a 20g or so rat pup should be okay to feed.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

If he never took a meal for you and was feeding mice feed the same thing for a few weeks, (adult mice will work for his size) once he is consistent you can feed a rat pup.

[artgecko]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Deborah- That's what I'm unsure of... At first the breeder said small mice, then said he alternates between feeding mice and rat pups (I guess he rotates every week). If he fed both, should I assume that she'd be ok with pups or start with a mouse?

[Kat_Dog]

This is a 18-day old rat. About 25 grams, right in the middle of the "rat pup" spectrum. Something a little smaller than this would probably be good!



If you're feeding mice, an adult mouse, about 4 weeks old, would be the best size.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Deborah- That's what I'm unsure of... At first the breeder said small mice, then said he alternates between feeding mice and rat pups (I guess he rotates every week). If he fed both, should I assume that she'd be ok with pups or start with a mouse?

You can try a rat but chances are he will take the mice more readily.

Usually once you feed something you try not to go back and forth unless the animal prefered mice which is why he went back and forth so it would keep eating.

[kylearmbar]

I think they can handle more than ppl think. My butter wasn't eating on his own for the first 5 months I got him and started finally eating live mice when he was 90 grams pounding adult mice about 4 weeks old. And they did not seem to big, he seemed full but by no means a bulge, just noticed he was a little fatter where the mouse was.

[artgecko]

Thanks again for the great advice.

After she settles in more, I'll take a closer look at her width and compare with what I have on hand. I'll go with the closest in size to her widest part (that will leave a small bulge).