Mice sizing help??

Ok so I know with a bp the prey item is supposed to be between 10-15% of the snakes body weight, but does that rule also apply to RTB's? I am feeding large mice and they seemed to be almost too big...she is 408 grams and about 3 feet, but the large mouse is only 24 grams!

How big is the mouse comparative to the width of the midsection of the boa?

At that size I would probably be feeding at least rat weanlings by now. I follow the 10-15% rule when they're younger and kinda bypass that they they get to be on mediums and up (since by then I stop weighing them, or weight them much less than the balls and other species).

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Originally Posted by Pale Rider 777

Ok so I know with a bp the prey item is supposed to be between 10-15% of the snakes body weight, but does that rule also apply to RTB's? I am feeding large mice and they seemed to be almost too big...she is 408 grams and about 3 feet, but the large mouse is only 24 grams!

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Not exactly. Boas generally do better on a smaller prey item. I like to feed a rodent that will not leave a noticeable lump in the snake's midsection. Since boas are more slender than BPs, that usually means something closer to the 10% mark.

Honestly, I have trouble picturing a large mouse that would be too large for a 400gm 3ft boa. They are probably fine if you are not seeing a noticeable lump in her after she eats. But whether you see a lump or not, you can move down a size. There is nothing wrong with that. Boas do not have to have large prey - better to stick with smaller prey with them and let them grow slowly. They'll be healthier for it in the long run.

There is also nothing wrong with keeping her on mice for now. There's plenty of time to move up to rats! ;)

My 520gm female Argentine boa is eating rat pups, one every 8 days, that are about 40gms. :gj:



If you DO go down a size and feed smaller prey, I would suggest offering something larger maybe once every 6-8 weeks. There has been some debate, that is beginning to be proven, that the occasional larger prey item helps to work the snake's jaw and head muscles and helps to keep them in shape, so to speak. :gj:

Here is a handy chart that I like to use for weight of rodents hope it helps




MICE

Sm. Pink 1-2 grams
Lg. Pink 2-4 grams
Peach Fuzz 4-6 grams
Fuzzies 5-8 grams
Hoppers 8-12 grams
Sm. Mice 11-16 grams
Med. Mice 15-24 grams
Lg. Mice 24-28 grams
XLg. Mice 30 grams+

Rats:
Rat Sm. Pink 3-8 grams
Rat Lg. Pink 5-12 grams
Rat Fuzzies 10-20 grams
Rat Pup 20-30 grams
Rat Wean 30-45 grams
Rat Sm. 40-80 grams
Rat Med. 80-150 grams
Rat Lg. 140-200 grams
Rat XLg. 190-250 grams

That's a nice chart Robie! Thanks! :gj:

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Originally Posted by RestlessRobie

Here is a handy chart that I like to use for weight of rodents hope it helps




MICE

Sm. Pink 1-2 grams
Lg. Pink 2-4 grams
Peach Fuzz 4-6 grams
Fuzzies 5-8 grams
Hoppers 8-12 grams
Sm. Mice 11-16 grams
Med. Mice 15-24 grams
Lg. Mice 24-28 grams
XLg. Mice 30 grams+

Rats:
Rat Sm. Pink 3-8 grams
Rat Lg. Pink 5-12 grams
Rat Fuzzies 10-20 grams
Rat Pup 20-30 grams
Rat Wean 30-45 grams
Rat Sm. 40-80 grams
Rat Med. 80-150 grams
Rat Lg. 140-200 grams
Rat XLg. 190-250 grams

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Love the chart!!