Nutritional value

[Maixx]

I was curious if there was a difference in nutritional values between rodents. I have a local supplier that carries Rats, ASF, Mice and Rabits
What is the best rodent to feed?
Taking size out of the question, just nutritional.

[Skittles1101]

http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp

[Stewart_Reptiles]

While the nutritional value is different no one knows what snakes nutritional requirements are.

Gram per gram of prey it's all the same.

The main difference and what ultimately make a prey better or should I say more convenient prey compare to another is the size.

If you feed mice at some point you will have to feed multiple preys whereas if you feed rat or even asf one will be enough.

Feed what works an what is convenient for you.

[kitedemon]

While the nutritional value is different no one knows what snakes nutritional requirements are.

Deborah, while I agree with you, I also don't believe that one rodent over another is a matter of connivence not nutritional questions.

I believe there have been studies on snakes nutritional requirements. And there has certainly been fairly substantial (sadly on one level) studies of stomach contents of Royal pythons in the wild and given the counts it is a simple matter to work backwards based on an average. I think that the requirements actually fairly well understood generally and although I don't recall any references to just Royals there are for pythons in general.

Here is a general carnivores reptile one,

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/171406.htm

[Maixx]

My main reason for asking is I've seen some say rats are best for them based on nutrition, and others saying ASF are best because they are thier natural prey in the wild.

My 2 Royals are out growing mice and its time to switch them to larger prey, and I'm trying to decide between rats and ASF. My rodent supplier carries both at similar price, so it comes down to what's best for them.

[kitedemon]

If they will take rats I'd go that way not so much for nutrition but they are more readily available. You may move at some point in the next 20-40 years and may not be able to get asfs.

[mpkeelee]

i would say go with an appropriately sized rat. if this guy moves or goes under you will be stuck looking for ASF's which are harder to find than rats. i guess the nutritional question doesnt really matter cuz people have fed both to these animals for years and i dont believe there has been a difference in size, health, quality or anything else. rats work fine.