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  • 01-21-2011, 07:45 AM
    War
    When to switch from mice to rats?
    Ok I've had my first BP for about a month now. It was 265g when I got it and is now 422g empty. I feed it 2 live mice every Saturday, I was wondering if or when do I move up to rats and what size would you guys recommend?

    Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
  • 01-21-2011, 07:51 AM
    TheWinWizard
    My 200 gram is eating small rats now.
  • 01-21-2011, 07:52 AM
    ballpythonluvr
    Re: When to switch from mice to rats?
    Your snake can very easily eat a small rat or you can feed multiple mice. The choice is completey yours.
  • 01-21-2011, 10:07 AM
    Stewart_Reptiles
    You can switch right now there is no specific size to switch just need to find the right size.

    The best way to transition as it can be tricky is by offering a rat the same size than the mice previously offered, do that for a few feeding than upgrade size if/as needed.

    Young animal with a string feeding response tend to switch a little more easily however it might still take time.
  • 01-21-2011, 10:25 AM
    d_exotics
    i feed rats from the beginning, its a lot easier then having to switch wen they get older and ive heard that rats are more nutritious for the snake.
  • 01-21-2011, 01:04 PM
    mykee
    Re: When to switch from mice to rats?
    Quote:

    "When to switch from mice to rats? "
    Second meal ever. Maybe third.
  • 01-21-2011, 02:20 PM
    sho220
    Re: When to switch from mice to rats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mykee View Post
    Second meal ever. Maybe third.

    x2 Live adult mouse for the first meal, and then on to rat pups...
  • 01-21-2011, 02:40 PM
    Slyther83
    meat to bone ratio is as follows, resulting in more protein

    Rabbit > rat > mice
  • 01-21-2011, 10:57 PM
    War
    Thanx everyone, he's a strong feeder, strikes at first chance, the small rats that I see are twice the size as the mice but I think he can take one.
    Do they know the difference between rats & mice? Are they more fearful of the rats?

    Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
  • 01-22-2011, 09:53 AM
    thedarkwolf25
    I am currently trying to get Hera onto rats as well and so far no luck. I went and got some P/K weaned rats from the exotic pet shop and brought them home. Yesterday was feeding time and she acted hungry, I heated the rat up with a blow dryer and she got all excited and was looking for the food. But when I lowered the rat in with tongs she came near and just looked at it.

    No strike or anything, I made it "dance" for her any everything and nothing. But she acted like she was hungry. I left it in the tank with her for a couple hours and nothing, she was more interested in cruising about (I feed her at night when she is naturally more active) than eating.

    Any tips? I don't know whether to offer again today or wait a week for the next cycle. I don't think it's too big for her as she is 270g and the rat was 35. Could she just be going into a winter fast? And there have been no changes to her tank and the temps are fine.
  • 01-22-2011, 10:33 AM
    Alexandra V
    Re: When to switch from mice to rats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by War View Post
    Thanx everyone, he's a strong feeder, strikes at first chance, the small rats that I see are twice the size as the mice but I think he can take one.
    Do they know the difference between rats & mice? Are they more fearful of the rats?

    Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

    "small rats" would mean a small adult rat to anyone you ask at a store. What was meant here was a small size of rat, not adult. So I'd say go for one that appears to be about the same size as the mice that your snake is on now, just to get the snake onto the rats, then bring the size up later if need be.

    How they react to rats differs from snake to snake. Rats and mice aren't as similar as most people think, and they do have a different smell from each other. If it's a really picky snake they might pick up on the different smell and refuse, but even then all it usually takes is scenting the rat with mouse stuff (bedding etc) the first couple times.
  • 01-22-2011, 10:51 AM
    Stewart_Reptiles
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by War View Post
    Thanx everyone, he's a strong feeder, strikes at first chance, the small rats that I see are twice the size as the mice but I think he can take one.
    Do they know the difference between rats & mice? Are they more fearful of the rats?

    Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

    He can probably take it down if big enough however same size rat often makes the transition a little easier.

    Switching is nit always easy has both have a very distinct scent so at least having something the same size make it less intimidating.
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