when is it time to move up in prey?

[halfwaynowhere]

my BP just ate a mouse yesterday, and she's poking her head out of her hide, looking hungry again. I think it might be time to move her up to something more substantial. is there a general weight guideline to go by for when to move them up? Should I look into rat pups, or go with two adult mice...
I have no idea what she weighs, i loaned my scale to my sister for her corn hatchlings, and haven't gotten it back yet...

[butters!]

i have a scale but dont use it to weigh mice,just the snakes.all i can tell you is to offer a second prey item once you see them re-adjust there jaws.you could also try something bigger instead of 2.

[cH@0s]

they say the prey item should be 10-15% of the animals weight.
Or if multiple items, i would imagine a combined weight of 10-15% of the animals weight.

[halfwaynowhere]

alright. i'll try to steal my scale back from my sister, so i can weigh her, and see where we stand.
does that apply for all snakes, or just balls? I'm also trying to figure this out for my kingsnake..

[halfwaynowhere]

well, tomorrow is going to be feeding day, with two mice this time... I went to handle her today, and that didn't happen. She tried to strike at me. I pretty much wanted to get a good idea of her girth so I had a better idea picking out prey size at the store tomorrow... so then i thought of just lifting the hide to peek at her, and stuck a knitting needle in there, thinking that cold metal isn't going to be seen as food, but she struck at it anyways! She's turned psycho!
even my little corn was a bit snappy with my today... looks like everyone is getting more or bigger food tomorrow...

[cH@0s]

About the percentage thing, I dont know if it applies to all snakes, makes sense if it does, but I read on this forum somewhere a guy was asking about prey size for his ball, and someone said 10-15% of their body weight is the way to go.

About the snapping, did you maybe handle some of their food products before trying to handle them? Make sure you wash your hands before you handle them as well, reason: I think along with your hands being clean, it also doesnt have a smell.

[halfwaynowhere]

I told the guy at the reptile store how big she was around, and he gave me an appropriately sized rat...
Didn't think I'd have an attachment problem to feeders, but this baby was too precious! I snuggled him, took a few pics, and then sacrificed him to Eve. I love rats, don't care so much about mice... Still, snake's gotta eat. Hopefully now next time I try to handle her, she won't try to attack me!