Pet/Breeder Rats for One Snake

Been wanting to keep some rats as pets, and thought they could also feed my snake. If I wanted to do that should it be a breeding pair, or 2 females and 1 male? I only have the one ball python with a healthy appetite, and don’t mind buying more if stock runs low. A surplus might be a problem since I don’t know anyone who’d take them.

Roughly how many does one female produce a year for you guys? And if anyone sells interesting breeds or ASFs in MA/neighboring states, I’d love to know!



(The forum has been so helpful since my dream of having a snake came true. Personally I’m really shy and never post, but wanted to say that this site is the best!)

How many will you need to feed one BP? It comes down to luck & good care: sometimes rats you buy expecting to breed just aren't very healthy & don't do
well, as another member found out. Local breeders don't like competition so they may not part with healthy females to pet stores, or they cannot spare them.
Sometimes you can improve their health with an extra nutritious diet, but not always, so that's where luck comes in too.

Young mom-rats may have a litter of 5, while healthy experienced mom-rats might have litters of 15-16+. They may average about 10, but no way to know, so
you might want to error on the side of having too many rather than not enough. You can likely sell* any surplus, either as pets or frozen food for snakes. Also,
rats breed best in mild seasons (spring & fall) and not as well when it's too hot or cold, so it takes some planning. They roughly have a litter per month, and
it takes time for the babies to grow to the size you need also...how big is your snake? *Keep "selling" in mind & try to pick cuter ones to reproduce...of course,
then it's harder to feed them too..."can't win". ;) It's also important to hold back a few to replace the mom's...constant reproduction takes a lot out of them.

It bears reminding you that your snake WILL smell your pet rats ON YOU, after you handle them, & possibly in spite of washing your hands. Don't be too
shocked if your snake bites you in confusion...they trust what they smell way more than what they see, & we also pass the "warm & wiggling" test, lol.

If you get a trio of rats & keep them as a family, most females will help each other taking care of the babies...but there's exceptions, so it helps to have an extra
cage on hand if they're the type that fight over the babies instead. Rats (including "dad") are generally good, caring parents though.

Oh wow thank you for so much information! So much to consider.

My snake is getting close to 500g and takes small rats on the lower weight end. Do you think I should wait until she’s a little bigger?
The local reptile shop breeds rats so I should probably check them first. Hopefully they don’t think I’ll stop visiting them if I breed my own :D

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Originally Posted by FireBaby

Oh wow thank you for so much information! So much to consider.

My snake is getting close to 500g and takes small rats on the lower weight end. Do you think I should wait until she’s a little bigger?
The local reptile shop breeds rats so I should probably check them first. Hopefully they don’t think I’ll stop visiting them if I breed my own :D

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I'm in MA as well. What local reptile shop do you go to?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I'm in MA as well. What local reptile shop do you go to?

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I go to Cold Blooded Pets in Acushnet. It’s small but has a good selection!

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Originally Posted by FireBaby

I go to Cold Blooded Pets in Acushnet. It’s small but has a good selection!

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Ah ok. I'm in North Central MA, 10-15 minutes from the NH border. So that's a journey for me. Thanks for the reply

Of course. I messaged them and apparently they have dumbos too! So if anyone’s near there you can find them

Breed rats? To feed one snake? It sounds more like you're going to start breeding rats as a hobby in itself as opposed as a way to feed your snake. Which is great. Whatever you're into.

I don't keep any, but as far as I know, rodents are prolific breeders. If you're not careful, I suspect you'll soon be swamped by rats and be selling them to me (I live in MA also).

We all anxious for the next expo in Hanover next month?

Yeah, I was just going to add that breeding (any kind) of rodents to feed one (or a few) snakes is probably not cost effective or a good use of your time,
unless you'll enjoy doing so & have an outlet for excess & inconsistent #'s of offspring. You have the cost of caging and water bottles, the breeders them-
selves, litter & food to consider...larger operations are just more efficient; also, if you like them enough that the breeders are actually "pets", how will you
feel about stealing their children to feed snakes...I'm not saying you can't do this, but we're all different & it's better to think about it now, than later. :oops:
Also, do you have a good place to breed the rats? Rodents contribute a certain "je ne sais quoi" to the air you breathe...

Might go to the expo, would be my first!


I have a room with lots of plants that we used to keep birds in, which is on another floor from the snake. It’s gonna be a while before any serious purchase so I’ll start making a list.
Honestly not excited about feeding their children to my snake, but I thought well it happens with her food anyway. She takes smalls so they’d have a little time, and they could have some fun beforehand.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Rodents contribute a certain "je ne sais quoi" to the air you breathe...

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LOL. yup. I would save a lot of money by breeding my own because of the number I use, however it is not going happen until it can be done outside of my house. I cannot stand the smell of the things.

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Originally Posted by FireBaby

Might go to the expo, would be my first!


I have a room with lots of plants that we used to keep birds in, which is on another floor from the snake. It’s gonna be a while before any serious purchase so I’ll start making a list.
Honestly not excited about feeding their children to my snake, but I thought well it happens with her food anyway. She takes smalls so they’d have a little time, and they could have some fun beforehand.

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Enough time to get "cute & personable"...pretty soon you have too many "hold backs" lol. And if the adults are your "pets", you have to figure at some point they'll
need to "retire" also. They don't stay good breeders forever, what then? (just saying)
Good that you have another room also...rats are nocturnal, so you don't want to sleep in the same room unless you're in a coma. :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Enough time to get "cute & personable"...pretty soon you have too many "hold backs" lol. And if the adults are your "pets", you have to figure at some point they'll
need to "retire" also. They don't stay good breeders forever, what then? (just saying)
Good that you have another room also...rats are nocturnal, so you don't want to sleep in the same room unless you're in a coma. :rofl:

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That might be the best reason not to get the dumbos. :lmao: Maybe hairless ones? Love those too but not nearly as cute.
Could probably keep some space for retired ones around. If I did get hairless it might be interesting to see them age. Really interesting.

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Originally Posted by FireBaby

Might go to the expo, would be my first!

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Expos are lots of fun! I used to go to the one in Brockton before they stopped and then moved to this new location. There are a ton of cool things to see, not just snakes and lizards. Plus you get to talk to people, get ideas, and see what's going on in the local community.

Only problem is that Expos are tempting! There have been more than a few times I didn't have a spare enclosure but started brainstorming how I could buy and keep some gorgeous creature I ran across! I planning on getting a few more additions next month, as long as Animal Plastics gets me my enclosures on time!