Only rats/ mice...

Should I only feed my BP rats/mice? Or can I give him gerbils?
Some people say if you have a picky (wont strike) BP, feed it gerbils because that is the color of the mice in the wild. (Have you ever seen a white mice in the wild?)
Some people say dont ever feed a BP hamsters because they have a different type of fur that will "plug up" and kill a BP.
Some people say pet stores wont sell you gerbils. (If they know what you are doing with them.)
Some people say it is even against the law in some states. (I live in Texas.)
I was just wondering...I think I will say with Fancy Mice...

A girl at Petco wouldnt sell a gerbil to my girlfriend because she said it was "too cute" to be fed to a snake.

stick with mice and rats,a hamster or a gerbil may gnaw it to death,my local petsmart won' sell feeder either.I don't understand why it would bring more customers.

Feed appropriately sized mice or rats. It is best to feed the same type of rodent on the same day each week.

Feeding gerbils and other rodents can get really expensive since ball pythons can be imprint feeders. If you feed them something exotic or expensive, it is a possibility that the snake will only eat those animals.

Do a search on this site. There is tons of good information available already.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Feed appropriately sized mice or rats. It is best to feed the same type of rodent on the same day each week.

Feeding gerbils and other rodents can get really expensive since ball pythons can be imprint feeders. If you feed them something exotic or expensive, it is a possibility that the snake will only eat those animals.

Do a search on this site. There is tons of good information available already.

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I second this :gj:

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Originally Posted by Victor Little Bird

Some people say if you have a picky (wont strike) BP, feed it gerbils because that is the color of the mice in the wild. (Have you ever seen a white mice in the wild?)

I was just wondering...I think I will say with Fancy Mice...

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I think sticking with the mice is a good idea.

Rather than offering a gerbil to a "non-striking" BP, I'd work on environment first to find out why they aren't feeding. Temps incorrect (measured with stick on dials rather than a digital thermometer/hygrometer combo), enclosure or hides too large, too much handling, etc.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

enclosure or hides too large

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The pet store I live near just got a new batch of BP's. Do you think a 12X30 (29 Gal.) tank is to big for a ( I guess...7in) BP?

I personally wouldn't house a tiny baby in a 29 gallon long. If you want a tank - go with a 10 gallon with two tight hides. Here's what I personally use for my babies - it's a 15 quart tub from Dollar General. Heating pad has since been replaced by flexwatt and a thermostat.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/BabyRack.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...ub/BabyTub.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...b/BabyTub2.jpg

Additionally, you might consider purchasing a nice male from a breeder rather than the pet store. Pet stores are usually imports, and imports this late in the season generally aren't as healthy as ones imported earlier in the year and certainly not as healthy as one you can get from a reputable breeder!

The thing is that gerbils have the same odor as gerboas, which are what Ball Pythons eat in West Africa. Because they recognize that odor as being food, they stray away from the lab rats and mice that we feed them. The chance of switching a Ball Python back to rats/mice from gerbils is very slim. People who own wildcaught Ball Pythons have no choice but to feed their BPs gerbils or otherwise they'll starve.

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Originally Posted by _BoidFinatic_

The thing is that gerbils have the same odor as gerboas

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Where is the proof of this?