Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Look at it through observation and experience. All of my rat feeders put on weight, and size much faster than my mouse feeders. They're all fed around 10% their body weight...
That does show that a rats nutritional value could be greater than that of a mouse. I am not saying mouse feeders won't get as large as rat feeders, but it does take some more time for them to achieve the size my rat feeders have.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sho220
Do you have any info to back that up? I've always read/heard that their really isn't much of a difference. And even if there was, it wouldn't matter, cause no one really knows the exact nutritional requirements of ball pythons...
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Here's a link to a table RodentPro has. It shows the levels of crude protein, calcium etc on it. Read up, and enjoy ;)
http://rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Andrew, can you post a link to the nutritional requirements of ball pythons? My three big girls have been on 2 mice a week - and have gained, on average, 100 grams a month. That's an excellent growth rate, and nothing to sneeze about! :D
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
I would imagine that there is LOTS of anecdotal evidence that can be found on both sides of that argument. One keeper can point to a snake that grew faster on rats than another did on mice.....another keeper can point to snakes that grew equally well on either. :confuzd: It just seems like such a non-issue to me. Feed whatever works.
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
And again, who knows? We were argueing which was more nutritious, and is there a benefit of feeding one over the other. Again, who knows, right? Who has done studies on the nutritional requirements of any Python specie in particular? All I know and care about are my animals put on an exceptional amount of size, and are overall and most importantly healthy.
This little thread can and will possibly be a debate, more on personal preferrence. But to argue which one is more nutritious, it would be the rat ;)
I was questioned as to whether or not I had information to back up my post as to which was more nutritious, had more protein value, and calcium, so I provided it.;)
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Agreed! :rockon:
Quote:
Originally Posted by JLC
I would imagine that there is LOTS of anecdotal evidence that can be found on both sides of that argument. One keeper can point to a snake that grew faster on rats than another did on mice.....another keeper can point to snakes that grew equally well on either. :confuzd: It just seems like such a non-issue to me. Feed whatever works.
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewH
Cool link, but I didn't notice the calcium count on it. Protein-yes, but no calcium. Did I miss it? I agree though that use whatever works and you have the most consistent availability of.
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Haha, guess I read it too fast. I skimmed through and read protein and such through it and skipped right through to the percentages for each prey item :P
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewH
Haha, guess I read it too fast. I skimmed through and read protein and such through it and skipped right through to the percentages for each prey item :P
No prob, thanks anyways! :rockon:
Re: Is there a reason/benefit to switch from mice to rats?
I found the best reason to feed and raise rats are the smell, rats breed easier and rats are rarely canabalistic, mice are crazy and bite more. The other main reason is a large rat pup is larger than a mouse and safer than a full grown mouse. I have had some picky feeders that wouldn't eat untill left alone and leaving a rat pup is much safer for your snake, they can't bite. As far as the nutrition agruement goes I think the only thing you can say for sure is a rat gets bigger, meatier than a mouse so its more food. As your snake grows you can feed larger rats and not multiple mice which is cheaper especially when you are feeding many animals.
