Small rat vs. 3 mice

I've fed my adult bp twice. The first time, I fed him a small rat. He took it down without a problem. The second time, I went with three monster-sized mice (which he took without hesitation). We were having really nasty weather, and the pet store didn't have small rats, and their truck was delayed by the weather.

I think I may just stick with mice, as the cost difference is negligent ($4.50 for 3 mice/ $4 for a small rat), and if he decides not to eat for however long, there's no chance of me being stuck with a rat too big for him.

The rat put up much more of a fight than the mice, but seeing as how he took it down without injury or anything, I'm not really taking this into consideration too much. It's mostly just the thing about mice not getting too big.

Before I decide on this for good, is there ANY reason I should stick with a rat?

I always think that rats are "healthier". Ive read numerous places that rats are higher in protein, higher in blah blah blah. I believe it. but if you cannot get the rats, I do not see a problem with the mice.

I always say feed them what they'll eat. I have a male thats eats everything and anything rats,mice, asfr makes no dif...

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Originally Posted by TheMissingLink

I always say feed them what they'll eat. I have a male thats eats everything and anything rats,mice, asfr makes no dif...

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I agree completely, but I think rats have a higher "nutritional" value

Would there be any harm in alternating?

nah, you should be fine. think about the wild. you think they get a nice juicey rat eeeevery time?

That's a really good point. It's not like they're gonna pass up a rat coz they're in the mood for gerbil :) His feeding response is amazing, so I'm not too worried about him becoming really finicky or anything.

Maybe I will alternate, just for variety. The store where I'm buying the rodents will take them back, so if he doesn't want the rat, I won't be stuck with it.

How many mice a week would you consider too many?

He ate 3 on wednesday, and he was acting kind of hungry just now, so I prescented, he seemed interested, and ended up taking a small mouse. If he still acts hungry, I intend to offer him another (at most 2 more, that's all I have :) )

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Maybe I will alternate, just for variety.

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Feed what works and what is convenient for you, but try to keep it consistent, otherwise you might just end up with a picky eater.

I would also recommend you to stick with rats or mice, gerbils are more aggressive and have longer teeth which make them potentially more dangerous than mice or rats.

Also if your BP imprint on gerbils this could also be an issue if you had to re-home him in the future (most people will not feed gerbils or do not have access to gerbils)

While rats nutritional value is different than mice nutritional value there is no study to this date on BP nutritional requirements.

Gram per gram rats or mice it's all the same and one is not better than the other.

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He ate 3 on wednesday, and he was acting kind of hungry just now, so I prescented, he seemed interested, and ended up taking a small mouse.

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3 adult mice is the most I would feed an adult male ;)

Remember BP are opportunistic, because they can eat more does not mean they NEED to eat more to thrive.