Rats vs. mice?

I've heard that rats are nutritionally better feeders, however I still see that a lot of the people (even the pros!) posting in this forum still feed mice. Is it a cost issue, or is there another reason?

Also, has anyone ordered from frozenrodent.com? They seem to have good prices, though you have e-mail them to ask for shipping costs.

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Originally Posted by fersal

I've heard that rats are nutritionally better feeders, however I still see that a lot of the people (even the pros!) posting in this forum still feed mice. Is it a cost issue, or is there another reason?

Also, has anyone ordered from frozenrodent.com? They seem to have good prices, though you have e-mail them to ask for shipping costs.

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I believe the nutrition thing is just a myth. If there is a difference, I don't think it would be enough of one to make any kind of difference.

No experience with frozenrodent, but I have ordered from rodentpro. Very easy, and good prices.

Since no one knows the actual nutritional requirements of a Ball Python, there's no way to know which rodent fits those needs best. If a snake is developing/growing appropriately then whether it's fed on mice or rats, it's fine. It's been shown time after time on this forum and elsewhere that there seems to be no real difference in health or size of a BP raised on the appropriate volume of mice or rats. You may have to feed more mice per feeding rather than one single rat but it really seems to make no difference to the snake's well being. For me, a good consistent feeding schedule using the right size or amount of top quality, healthy prey items is the point - not whether those prey items are mice or rats.

I have a whollatta rat vs. mice stuffs...So just be patient...lol... I have to go to school first.:rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by stangs13

I have a whollatta rat vs. mice stuffs...So just be patient...lol... I have to go to school first.:rolleye2:

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Huh? :confused:

I have a whollatta rat vs. mice info, Charts...ETC.

Gram for gram rats vs mice make no difference when it comes to feeding ball pythons ... I have some animals that just prefer mice, so that's what they get ... I have numerous examples of ball pythons that were born within the same clutch with some raised on rats and other raised on mice and 4, 5, and 6 years later they are all within a few grams of each other.

Feed what is most convenient for you and feed what your snake will eat.

-adam

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Originally Posted by stangs13

I have a whollatta rat vs. mice info, Charts...ETC.

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Some pros here seem to think it doesn't make a difference... but I'd like to see what you have out of curiosity... can you please share with us when you get back? Thanks!

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Originally Posted by fersal

Some pros here seem to think it doesn't make a difference... but I'd like to see what you have out of curiosity... can you please share with us when you get back? Thanks!

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All he has is the "whole prey study" that was published by one of the Zoological associations ... it has a chart of different prey items at different sizes and their measure of fat/protein/zinc/phosphorus/etc .... people that like to believe that rats are "more nutritious" than mice often cite that study as "proof" ... The problem I have with the study is that there is no corresponding study that shows what a ball pythons needs are nutritionally ... what good is it knowing that a 25 gram mouse has 7 grams of protein and a 35 gram rat has 6 grams of protein if a ball python only needs 3 grams of protein when fed weekly.

Based on real experience working with ball pythons in numbers for 10 years, I can say with absolute certainty that gram for gram mice vs. rats does not matter ... and I'd put my living breathing ball pythons up as proof against any chart, any day. ;)

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

and I'd put my living breathing ball pythons up as proof against any chart, any day. ;)

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Maybe he needs to see it on a website before he believes it. ;)

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Maybe he needs to see it on a website before he believes it. ;)

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:rofl:

I feed my snake Brats, except I have to put pretzel ears and a licorice tail. Ive had mixed results when I've left off the angel hair whiskers, YMMV

EDIT almost forgot do NOT feed them beer brats or cheddar brats, just the normal kind, plain, I use Johnsonville Brats.

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

I feed my snake Brats, except I have to put pretzel ears and a licorice tail. Ive had mixed results when I've left off the angel hair whiskers, YMMV

EDIT almost forgot do NOT feed them beer brats or cheddar brats, just the normal kind, plain, I use Johnsonville Brats.

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We never feed ours the beer or cheddar brats. Mike eats the beer ones, I eat the cheddar ones, then we retire to our hides and digest for 48 hours. Mike sheds a lot! I just bite. :D

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Maybe he needs to see it on a website before he believes it. ;)

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It's on a website NOW! :D