What F/T Feeder Sizes Should I Order for 4 month old BP

[blackonblack]

First snake. hes a healthy super pastel male I got from a local breeder. I have had him 6 days and tonight he took a F/T fuzzy mouse on the first attempt I got from petsmart . Artic Mice = (crap). I was not impressed with the quality, price, and they didn't have the "hopper" size I was instructed to feed by the seller. I was surprised to see him feeding so early even more surprised he took a F/T even though he has only eaten live! I'm very happy. Anyways I plan to make an online F/T mouse order. I want to maximize cost but then I want to be sure to get the correct size. Should I order 50 hoppers? Will he not outgrow this size during this duration or should I order larger mice aswell. I'd like to make an order for the entire year. Thanks guys

[Neal]

First snake. hes a healthy super pastel male I got from a local breeder. I have had him 6 days and tonight he took a F/T fuzzy mouse on the first attempt I got from petsmart . Artic Mice = (crap). I was not impressed with the quality, price, and they didn't have the "hopper" size I was instructed to feed by the seller. I was surprised to see him feeding so early even more surprised he took a F/T even though he has only eaten live! I'm very happy. Anyways I plan to make an online F/T mouse order. I want to maximize cost but then I want to be sure to get the correct size. Should I order 50 hoppers? Will he not outgrow this size during this duration or should I order larger mice aswell. I'd like to make an order for the entire year. Thanks guys

Most snakes will eat within a day or two of owning them. Just most of us advise people to wait so they don't think something is wrong with their snake because it's not eating. I also wouldn't deal with mice, my baby 53 gram BP can eat a rat fuzzy no problem. I fed him a rat pinky just because it's a bit smaller and with him being small. Your BP being 4 months old and eating hopper mice is really distrubing to me TBH. A lot of factors come into play with this but did you ever ask the local breeder why mice instead of rats? I would personally try a f/t rat pink, fuzzy or pup if you're BP is big enough. That way you don't waste money on mice when you can be feeding him rats. Who did you purchase your snake from?

Regarding f/t, where are you from? I'll give you more information with everything once I know the rest.

[blackonblack]

Here's a photo to illustrate his size. He was born 8/7. I bought him from a small local breeder called superior balls and dragons in fullerton ca. Small operation but they attend local shows. The breeder recommended I start feeding hopper mice. Didn't ask why. Im in OC california. I have read that some snakes won't take rats I guess I feel like I don't want to make a big rat order and him not eat them. I fed him a fuzzy mouse earlier clearly that was way too small

Here is there facebook. I am not at all affiliated with this business.
https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorBallsAndDragons

[Neal]

Here's a photo to illustrate his size. He was born 8/7. I bought him from a small local breeder called superior balls and dragons in fullerton ca. Small operation but they attend local shows. The breeder recommended I start feeding hopper mice. Didn't ask why. Im in OC california. I have read that some snakes won't take rats I guess I feel like I don't want to make a big rat order and him not eat them. I fed him a fuzzy mouse earlier clearly that was way too small

Here is there facebook. I am not at all affiliated with this business.
https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorBallsAndDragons

I can't see a picture because I'm at work, but I just find it a little weird he didn't explain why. You should definitely call him and ask him why mice. I'm not saying you should go and buy a bulk rat order, but go buy one rat from there that way at least you know if he'll eat rats or not. While some are strictly mice eaters, the fact is it's not like a really common problem. Call and ask why mice, and even if he tells you it won't take rats, he may of only tried once and when snakes get a really good feeding response a lot of the time they'll take anything. So I would try a rat at least once, that way you don't waste a lot of money on mice when you could be feeding rats. Check with LLLreptile and see if they have a store close to you, they may have f/t rodents. I wouldn't keep buying from them cause chances are with a store front they're more expensive then getting directly from a place that sells f/t rodents only. I'm just saying try a rat before you spend money ordering anything. I've personally never heard of the breeder you got your snake from, but just because they attend shows doesn't mean much. I guess I just take more pride in my animals and would never sell an animal to somebody who doesn't have experience keeping that particular animal.

[blackonblack]

Isn't a rat fuzzy roughly the same size as a mouse hopper?

[I-KandyReptiles]

My ball, roughly the same size, is eating weaned rats or rat pups.

A weaned rat is about adult mouse size.

[Neal]

Isn't a rat fuzzy roughly the same size as a mouse hopper?

No. I would say a hopper is about the size of a day old rat pinky, somethign similar to that anyways. There could of been reasons that your snake was eating mice. Most breeders feed live and not f/t. So if the snake didn't take right away with rats he could of left them on mice because a rat hopper will move a lot more then a rat pinkie or fuzzy. Movement and heat are two of the snakes biggest hunting triggers.

You should always ask a lot of questions, and if the breeder gets annoyed then you walk. It's about customer service and I just being a neutral person on here didn't feel like he provided you with the customer service that I would of expected from my local breeders. Hell I go annoy Tim Bailey sometimes on the weekends just because he's my friend and I enjoy shooting the bull with him. I would try a f/t rat for the simple fact that he didn't tell you much nor did you ask much, but in the end the situation is up to you.

[Neal]

My ball, roughly the same size, is eating weaned rats or rat pups.

A weaned rat is about adult mouse size.

A weaned rat is quite larger than an adult mouse. The standard adult mouse is about the size of a rat pup. Unless the adult mouse is like a retired breeder or just a freakish large mouse then it's not going to be close to a weaned rat size.

[I-KandyReptiles]

I dunno, my weaned rats look about adult mouse size.



This girl looks about the same size as his Bp, and she's on weaned rats.

[Neal]

I dunno, my weaned rats look about adult mouse size.



This girl looks about the same size as his Bp, and she's on weaned rats.

People get rat pups and weaned rats mixed up all the time, not saying you do but stores do. I went into a local shop to get a rat pup for a friend and the rat they gave me was not a pup. They clearly didn't understand that rats have a stage between fuzzy and weaned. I about back handed the ignorant guy who was arguing with me, but instead I nearly got him fired for cursing me out. So wherever you're getting your rodents from is ripping you off most likely.

Rat pinkie = Weight (Grams): 5.00 - 12.99
Rat pups = Weight (Grams): 20.00 - 29.99
Weaned Rats = Weight (Grams): 30.00 - 44.99

Now mice:

Hoppers = Weight (Grams): 7.00 - 12.99
Adult mice = Weight (Grams): 18.00 - 24.99
Adult mice(extra large) = Weight (Grams): 25.00 - 45.00