How to locate a Rat breeder!

[Kesosip]

ok The local pet shop here only sells Mice that are live, Im not really looking to feed frozen thawed as live has been working very well and I do so responsibly, I am allways present at feeding times. Anyhow my ball python Naga is allready eating 2 mice a week and I want to look in to switching to Rats.

the local petco only sells adult rats which are way to large for naga and the only other petstore only sells frozen thawed I was wondering how i could go about find a breader in my area, I live in norther West virgina, Morgantown to be exact. Anyone know of a breader in the eare or how to locate one.

the pet store said they didnt know of anyone, but i think perhaps that is because they want me to continue buying from them!

[Jeanne]

I think you are gonna be hard pressed to find a rat breeder who will sell thier rats as snake food, unless thats what they breed for. Most rat breeders do so for the pet trade not for snake food. Becareful on your quest for this, as you may run up against a rat breeder (for pet trade) who will give you a hard time.

[JLC]

I live in norther West virgina, Morgantown to be exact. Anyone know of a breader in the eare or how to locate one.

Our dear leader, Smulkin, lives in West Virginia. Unfortunately, being utterly unfamiliar with the geography of the state, I couldn't tell you how close he is to where you live. But it's not THAT big of a state. (Says the girl who grew up in Texas!) He's been very busy lately and may not see this thread, but if you shoot him a PM and let him know where you are and what you're looking for, he may be able to hook you up. He breeds rats for his collection and sells/trades his overflow with local petstores...so I'm sure he'd have extras for you to get if y'all can manage the logistics.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Stick with the mice ... your snake will be fine.

-adam

[Kesosip]

am I not correct that feeding multipule food items is much harder on the digestive system? Naga has been on 2 mice for 2 weeks now and the little pig still contiues to look for another mouse to fall from the heavens lol.

[Adam_Wysocki]

am I not correct that feeding multipule food items is much harder on the digestive system? Naga has been on 2 mice for 2 weeks now and the little pig still contiues to look for another mouse to fall from the heavens lol.

That is a myth ... ball pythons are opportunistic feeders by nature ... whether it's a small adult rodent or a litter of baby rodents, when they need to eat, they will seize the opportunity without regard to numbers.

I have MANY adult male and female ball pythons that are thriving on multiple mice per week ... usually only 2 - 3 is all they need.

-adam

[frankykeno]

Have a look also at Rabernet's snakes. They are all mouse eaters, some eat multiple mice and they are in just lovely condition. I feed all our BP's but one on rats and ours aren't growing any bigger or faster than hers when we've compared them. Stick with your mice or go to rats if you wish but either way your snake will do fine if fed appropriately.

[Kesosip]

Frankykeno: I wasnt concerned with naga growing faster, however i was concerned about having to feed her mutiple mice being tough on the degestive system and the amount of time.

it seems feeding mice would take alot more energy then 1 rat, should 3 be the most i ever need to feed her even as an adult?

[Adam_Wysocki]

it seems feeding mice would take alot more energy then 1 rat

I'm telling you from experience ... they don't.

-adam

[JLC]

am I not correct that feeding multipule food items is much harder on the digestive system? Naga has been on 2 mice for 2 weeks now and the little pig still contiues to look for another mouse to fall from the heavens lol.

Maybe you're mixing up feeding multiple prey items with feeding multiple times a week? So far as I know, it's perfectly fine to feed more than one prey on a given feeding day.....but to feed your snake every 2-3 days or something...THAT is hard on their digestive systems.