When the correct feeder size isn't available??

Hi! Our snake is ready to move up from rat pups, but the 2 stores that are anywhere close to us (less than an hour away) don't carry weanlings. The next size up is small rats. So I went there today to look for the smallest small rats, but they were all out of small rats.

In the meantime, is it okay if I feed rat pups for another few weeks and just feed every 5 days instead of 7? He just ate one and is still out and about. Could he possibly want another one right now?

Any advice appreciated. Thank you!

do you feed f/t? and how much does the snake weigh? i wouldn't jump sizes like that; there's a big difference between a rat pup and a small rat.

it would be fine to stick with pups for now. you can weigh them and feed two pups equal to that of a weaned rat.

Does anyone know if PetSmart, PetCo or any other of the chain pet stores sell Rat Pups? I've only ever seen small med and large.

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Does anyone know if PetSmart, PetCo or any other of the chain pet stores sell Rat Pups? I've only ever seen small med and large.

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i don't have a PetCo around me but i've never, ever seen them at PetSmart.

No, not at either of ours.

We feed F/T. So I should continue with pups, maybe feeding 2. Umtil he's big enough for small rats. The place said their small rats are juvenile, if that helps. Lol. Thanks!!!

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Originally Posted by Marcus_Family

No, not at either of ours.

We feed F/T. So I should continue with pups, maybe feeding 2. Umtil he's big enough for small rats. The place said their small rats are juvenile, if that helps. Lol. Thanks!!!

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i'm not sure what the equivalent of a small "juvenile" rat is...do you know how much they weigh?

i'd recommend you find weaned rats if you can. have you considered websites like PerfectPrey.com, BigCheeseRodents.com, etc?

You can definitely offer more than one prey item until your snake is ready to move up to the next size. I still find that even with just one snake it's more economical to buy in bulk online rather than pay pet store prices. The savings can be pretty significant over time.

I never even thought to ask them to weigh them for me!! Great idea! I'll do that next time. I'll also look again at online...the shipping was SO CRAZY that I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Also I'm afraid I'll order too many and he'll move up a size.

Last question...if I feed him 2 pups, do I just offer him the second one after he eat the first one? Or does he need a little while?

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marcus_Family

I never even thought to ask them to weigh them for me!! Great idea! I'll do that next time. I'll also look again at online...the shipping was SO CRAZY that I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Also I'm afraid I'll order too many and he'll move up a size.

Last question...if I feed him 2 pups, do I just offer him the second one after he eat the first one? Or does he need a little while?

Thanks!

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i've never fed an animal more than one prey item so i'll let someone else answer that question.

refer to this feeding chart in the future if you're ever unsure!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2F98qfzDH.png

He ate 2! I feel so bad...he must've been really hungry these past few weeks. :O I will weigh the pups I have now and start weighing before I buy and go from there.

Thanks so much!

There is nothing wrong with feeding multiple prey items that are an appropriate combined weight for a proper meal. The benefit to feeding one prey item is cost as well as ease of feeding.

When feeding two, I wait until the first prey item is swallowed and the snake has does the yawn and re-align the jaw thing and then offer the second. It's never been a problem and they have never refused. That being said, when they are gone I move up prey size and always prefer to feed one prey item.

As far as ordering in bulk, it is definitely the way to go. When ordering for a sub-adult snake that I know will outgrow the current prey item, I weigh the prey when it comes in and bag in bags of 5 (helps keep them "fresh") based on weight. Then feed in increased weights as the snake grows. I will also save a few of the smallest ones for when it's time to double up. They end up all being used and I save plenty of money over buying from a local store and paying ridiculous prices. Honestly, I could throw 10 away and I would still save money ordering bulk.

I've found that when I can't get the correct prey size or with fussy eaters the trick is to offer something they will eat and then offer the second. I resorted to stuffing a f/t rats head in the mouth as mine finished his mouse since he was really underweight at one point. After a while things turned around and I am now more worried my ball is fat than underweight. Ether way giving them multiple prey items isn't an issue I've got one royal that I fed 4 mice in succession just to use them up, all of which totalled between 10-15% of his body weight when combined.