who has more body fat or fat period?

[harm286]

rodent whise, what do you think?

[matt71915]

what do you mean? rats vs. mice... asf... hamster.... gerbil

[harm286]

lets say all rodents ... mice, rats, gerbils ... whatever
lets see the answers fly

[matt71915]

my guess would be
rats
hamster
asf
gerbil
mice
greatest fat% to least

[LGL]

Well, according to:

Nutrient Composition of Whole Vertebrate Prey (Excluding fish)
Prepared By: Ellen S. Dierenfeld, PhD, Heather L. Alcorn, BS, and Krista L. Jacobsen, MS - 2002
(http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp)


The order of rodent prey species with the highest percentage of crude fat from greatest to least would be:

Prey Species (Scientific name) - Notes - Crude Fat Percentage
Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) - Males, 10 week - 46.10%
Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) - Neonatal males - 34.70%
Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) - 34.70%
Rat (Rattus norvegicus) - Adult or >50 g - 32.60%
Mouse, domestic (Mus domesticus) - Juvenile, 3-10 g - 30.10%
Rat (Rattus norvegicus) - Juvenile, 10-50 g - 27.50%
Rat (Rattus norvegicus) - Neonatal, <10 g - 23.70%
Mouse, domestic (Mus domesticus) - Adult or >10 g - 23.60%
Mouse, domestic (Mus domesticus) - Neonatal, <3 g - 17%

(ASFs and Gerbils are not in the chart)


With that being said, I don't suggest feeding anything to a Ball Python besides feeder rats, feeder mice, or ASFs. There is more to a prey item than fat content.

[harm286]

well i want'd to give my spiderball a gerbil for her birthday ... but why would u say no to everything else but mice n rats ?

[littleindiangirl]

Why are you switching her food item? Are you placing human desires on an animal that may end up ONLY taking this new food? Given how most gerbils cost more money than rats and mice, and are hard to come by... sounds like foolish idea to me.

[Repsrul]

I agree with Littleindiangirl. This does not make must sense. I could see giving a dog or cat a special treat on their birthday and holidays but why for your ball python. If you want to do something nice for her hold her a little longer not that they will know the difference. I understand you want to do something nice for your pet but this is not it.

[harm286]

Why are you switching her food item? Are you placing human desires on an animal that may end up ONLY taking this new food? Given how most gerbils cost more money than rats and mice, and are hard to come by... sounds like foolish idea to me.

so in other words im stupid for doing such a thing ?
I think i know the differences from cats dogs and snakes.
just thought i'd be different ... so with that said this question was to see who knows about rodents, and if you know sites. This was never about what i will do. So i can ummm pretty much do what i please. My snake, my pet, responsibilty. Thank you though for caring

[harm286]

PS. my snakes eat anything when hungry. i dont switch there food everyday. Geez people one day out of the year kum on now dont take it so serious. Gosh