What size food?

My BP is in the biggest part of him 1.25" wide, what size rat should I get? I am looking at ordering some from a website (getting 100) Also how often should I feed that size?

Gram weight would be a better indicator for finding out an appropriate sized feeder. As for eye balling it, I'd approximate a rat pup/weanling would fit your needs.

If you are planning to order in bulk I suggest getting some of the next step up sized feeders. Buy from a supplier that vacuum seals their rodents to prevent freezer burn from long storage.

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don't order 100 he will grow to fast and by the time you get half way though that order he will be on 2 size larger rats. ususally u want to give them a meal no bigger than its widest part so probably a rat crawler would work for him. You can also try this i will offer them smaller than usual rats but i will give them 2 instead of one larger rat, i have a late 2012 female that i got in feb at 200 grams she is now 1100 grams and growing using this method. I have two hatchlings my lesser pastel is 170 grams and my firefly is 155 both empty and they are eating 2 rat crawlers every 5-6 days.

@notmyfault how do you go about using gram weight as an indicator for prey size? Thanks

Take the gram weight and multiply by 0.1 and 0.15. That will give you the gram weight range of the rat you should be feeding.

Feeding smaller you can feed more often.
Feeding larger you can feed less often.
Give or a take a few days from your normal schedule.

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I agree you would not want to order 100 of that size. They will outgrow that size in maybe 10 feedings tops.

I'll try to get the snakes gram weight in so that would be easier. I have been feeding the snake the same size mouse for a year now cause he hasn't seemed to grow that much since I owned him. I was getting small frozen mice from petsmart. Are there online vendors who sell a large quantity of mice various sizes?

I would try to get him on rats, especially since you said you've been feeding the same size for a year. You could be underfeeding your little guy since you haven't seen much growth on him. As for online vendors you could order feeders from various sources on the web shipped to your door. The shipping will usually kill you but if you buy enough, it will still be cheaper than at the pet store...unless you can pick up directly of course. :-)

If you can't get your guy on rats, or you choose not to, please feed multiple mice equivalent to your snake's gram weight.

Ones that I like to use are:
Big Cheese Rodents
http://www.bigcheeserodents.com/

Loxahatchee Rodents
http://loxahatcheerodents.com/estore...=index&cPath=1

Would there be any reason why the snake wouldn't eat a frozen rat? Maybe I can try to find a frozen rat somewhere to see first? Could the snake not be growing cause of tank size as well? I do need to get food right now because I ran out, a local petsmart is all I have that I know, what size should I get?

We generally go by the animals body size. I usually feed a rat the size of the widest part of the snake. We feed on a weekly schedule and has worked very well for us. We start our hatchlings on rats from the very start.

So since I need to feed him today and he is 1.25" at widest point should I just get the small mouse from petsmart or medium or large? This will be to hold me over so I can find either a breeder for frozen rats local or a good site.

Also if anyone is from southern NJ and knows breeders let me know.

I have been feeding him medium size mice from petsmart since last post. Do I keep going with medium? How do you know when to go up in size?

Sounds to me like you have already been told what to feed your snake, weigh your snake and feed it 10% to 15% of it's body weight. Really simple. Since you want to buy F/T and have them shipped, you may want to invest in a small kitchen scale so you can weigh your snake on a regular basis to keep track of his/her growth in order to feed the right size and amount.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EWC88

Also if anyone is from southern NJ and knows breeders let me know.

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Where in south jersey are you.

I live in Sewell NJ but willing to drive places for mice, where are you located?

Also anyone recommend a scale? Was looking at bed bath beyond for scale but wasn't sure what would be good.

Get one from walmart. Mine has a glass top and gray base.

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yes get a scale ... kinda important to know how much ur dude weighs.... i got a digi scale that weighs in grams up to 5 kg from fred meyers

Something like this : http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;...Scale/16486675

Or something with a flat top?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EWC88

I'll try to get the snakes gram weight in so that would be easier. I have been feeding the snake the same size mouse for a year now cause he hasn't seemed to grow that much since I owned him. I was getting small frozen mice from petsmart. Are there online vendors who sell a large quantity of mice various sizes?

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because you are still feeding the same size prey...

I recently got a new baby BP, and he's due for a meal tomorrow. My question is, I only have access to normal adult mice from petco right now unless I drive an hour away. My BP is a little thin for an adult mouse if you go by the diameter rule but I think he may be a little on the thin side right now. He's 20 or 21 inches long and probably a little over an inch wide. I haven't weighed him. Just wondering if it's safe to feed him an adult mouse. I can upload a picture of him if i need to.

If he's too small for it he's to small. They can take a little bulge but considering he's new to you, take it easy on the size until he's used to his new home. Rule of thumb is 10-15% of your snakes weight.


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