3 adult mice or 1 rat pup? Same banana?

[pcocabo]

Just a question about multiple feeding. I've tons of mice at home as i've been breeding them for my snakes (Rats are too expensive here in the Philippines.) ( i know they're healthier but I don't have em) Anyways, just a thought:

Everyweek, I feed my two ball pythons. One is 1,200 grams, 1 year old male, the other, 700 grams, 6 month old female. I feed them 3 breeder size mice every week as opposed to 1 small rat every week.

Questions:

1) Is multiple feeding bad? Pros and Cons? Is there a difference when I give smaller prey a lot or one "appropriate" sized prey once?

2) Am I feeding them right? ( They both seem very healthy, I've raised both since they were babies, i'll post pictures one time!)

Thank you!
( As you can see, I'm asking because I don't know the answer and I wish to learn)

[Stacykins]

According to this feeder size comparison chart, one rat pup is the equivalent size of one large mouse.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

3 (20 grams mice) would be the equivalent of a small rat (about 4 weeks old)

There is nothing wrong with feeding multiple preys even mice.

Keep in mind that gram per gram it's all the same.

The bottom line is to feed what works, is available and is convenient to you.

[seeya205]

It is easier for the snake to have one prey item as it is less work and less stress but multiple feedings are okay and nessary if feeding mice. I would switch to rats as it is cheaper and easier to feed for you and the snake.

[rj1204]

I have one female (1035 grams) that eats 2 mice per week and won't eat rats. My F/T mice are 25g each and my small rats are about 60g each, so she basically eats the equivalent of one small rat per week. As long as she eats consistentely, I really don't mind but I would much rather feed her one small rat. She has put on 140 grams in the last month. I would put yours on F/T small rats if you can get them to switch......should save you time and money.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I would switch to rats as it is cheaper and easier to feed for you and the snake.

I would put yours on F/T small rats if you can get them to switch......should save you time and money.

Not in this case

Just a question about multiple feeding. I've tons of mice at home as i've been breeding them for my snakes (Rats are too expensive here in the Philippines.)

Again gram per gram of prey, if it works, and is convenient it really does not matter!

[snakesRkewl]

Not in this case



Again gram per gram of prey, if it works, and is convenient it really does not matter!

I agee with this, I feed multiple rats quite often, no stress, no strain, some snakes just roll like that

[pitoon]

this is my opinion....

several smaller sized meals may be easier for the animal to digest verse a single large meal.

also animals that tend to eat several smaller meals at one sitting tend to eat more frequent verse those that just eat one large meal

animals that are feed several smaller meals at one time tend to gain weight a bit faster than those that eat single larger meals.

Pitoon

[pcocabo]

Thanks, these are very helpful posts. Like I said, I couldnt swith to rats because we don't have them around here in Manila.. Well, we do but they're more expensive. =(

[pitoon]

Thanks, these are very helpful posts. Like I said, I couldnt swith to rats because we don't have them around here in Manila.. Well, we do but they're more expensive. =(

if they are so expensive why don't you breed them yourself?

Pitoon