Do rat pups have more nutrition than mice

[Zombies Cry 2]

Yesterday I was going to try feeding a rat pup to my BP for the first time. However the rat pups I found in the only store in my area that has them were smaller than the mouse I usually feed my snake. So my question is should I stick with the mouse or try feeding 2 rat pups to my guy. I've heard the pups have more nutrition than the mice. The pet store clerk said the sizes of the rats are very inconsistent, there really isn't anyone one in my area who sells live. So now I am conflicted...

[JoshSloane]

I believe that the nutrient content between rats and mice are very similar. However, I have heard that rats have a bit more muscle mass at the same size as their mouse counterparts. However, I think its always smart to get your bp on rats as soon as possible. It is never fun having an adult bp that is stuck on mice and needs a slew of mice to become satiated, rather than a single rat.

[Zombies Cry 2]

I would like to start on rats right away. Next week will be the first attempt.

[JoshSloane]

It's a smart idea. You are doing yourself a favor.

[rlditmars]

I would doubt there is any real nutritional difference. The difference I see is if you take what appears to be equal size mouse and rat and put them on a scale, your likely to find the rat weighs more. So if a rat is a little more dense than a mouse there may be more nutritional value by volume. However, I think if you fed your snake 100 grams of rats or 100 grams of mice, the difference in nutritional value would be negligible.

The other benefit with a rat is that as the snake grows, you can still hold to a single item/unit of food per feeding where with mice you may have to give them 2 or 3 per feeding to keep them at a steady weight.

[Zombies Cry 2]

Thanks for the info

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Nutritional values are different however there is no study on nutrition requirement that has been made.

Gram per gram of prey it really all the same.

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[Albert Clark]

Since you are in N.Y.C. you can try to get live rat pups from some of your local pet shops but not Petsmart or Petco. The other option is Big Apple Herp and they are in N.J. I am in the Bronx and there is a shop on E.204th st. they get rat pups from time to time. You might even get lucky at Petland though. Happy hunting.