Cant Find Appropriately Sized Rats - Had to buy mice

[mattchibi]

Hey guys

Went to my local reptile store today to pick up some feeders for my hatchling. She is 115 grams right now, empty.

I picked up rat pups a few days ago, but they were 25-35 grams, which I found too big for my hatchling. I went back today to see if they had anything that was 10-15% of body weight, so 10-20 gram rat pups, but they had none. Nowhere else that is close really has the size of rats that I want, I tried asking for live rat pups that were that size but still no luck.

I ended up having to buy some mice hoppers that were between 9-13 grams that I plan on feeding every 4 or 5 days. My question is: how easily do hatchlings get "stuck" on mice? I want to be feeding rats as soon as possible. Is it okay for me to feed mice until shes about 175 grams and then she can start taking the bigger rat pups? The rat pinks they had were really small like 6 grams so I didnt think that was appropriate either.

Thanks for the input, sorry if this question is asked a lot

[Inknsteel]

I think it depends on the snake. I have two '11 girls right now who are on opposite ends of the spectrum. I picked up my pastel in June at 60 grams. She will eat ANYTHING you put in front of her. She was started on mice, but has gladly taken mice, ASFs and rats. She's up to about 300 grams now...

Then there's my spider girl. I picked her up in October and was told that she was pounding mice. I brought her home and started her on weaned mice and she pounded a couple meals for me. Since I'm breeding ASF, I decided to try her on those. Nothing... I think I actually found a bp who will refuse ASF. I tried to play stubborn and kept offering ASF thinking she'd eat when she got hungry, but she didn't show any interest. After a month of refusing ASFs, I tossed her another weaned mouse and she snapped it up quicker than I could blink. So I'm worried that I may have a permanent mouser on my hands. Gonna try rats with her as soon as my first breeders drop a litter, but until then, I'll be making a trip to the pet store every 5-7 days...

EDIT: IMO, if you're worried about imprinting on mice, you might be better off to skip a week rather than feeding the hoppers...

[mattchibi]

I think it depends on the snake. I have two '11 girls right now who are on opposite ends of the spectrum. I picked up my pastel in June at 60 grams. She will eat ANYTHING you put in front of her. She was started on mice, but has gladly taken mice, ASFs and rats. She's up to about 300 grams now...

Then there's my spider girl. I picked her up in October and was told that she was pounding mice. I brought her home and started her on weaned mice and she pounded a couple meals for me. Since I'm breeding ASF, I decided to try her on those. Nothing... I think I actually found a bp who will refuse ASF. I tried to play stubborn and kept offering ASF thinking she'd eat when she got hungry, but she didn't show any interest. After a month of refusing ASFs, I tossed her another weaned mouse and she snapped it up quicker than I could blink. So I'm worried that I may have a permanent mouser on my hands. Gonna try rats with her as soon as my first breeders drop a litter, but until then, I'll be making a trip to the pet store every 5-7 days...

EDIT: IMO, if you're worried about imprinting on mice, you might be better off to skip a week rather than feeding the hoppers...

Ive had her almost for two weeks now so she must be hungry ! I swear she thinks Im food every time I open her tub.

Yeah I dont want her being stuck on mice, but realistically, I wont be able to get any rat pups that are appropriately sized for her for a little while. The only reptile store close to me probably wont have rats that size for a while, and Ive been checking frequently the last two weeks.

I guess I will give the hoppers a shot. I dont think snakes are dumb enough to starve themselves to death, well at least thats what I heard from justin kobylka. If she gets stuck on mice, Ill just have to do my best to switch her back over. Hopefully my girl is like your pastel and will eat anything.

[mattchibi]

Well she ate her first f/t for me, too bad it was a mouse hopper. Great feeding response too, she even struck at my hand twice when I was trying to get some aspen out of her mouth. Woot

[Inknsteel]

Congrats. A successful feed is a successful feed. Just try offering rat pups again when you're ready to try the switch again.

[jackiechan]

Wow same thing happened to me today! I switched my guy to a rat pup last feeding and he made the switch perfectly fine.
Today the reptile store i usually pick up feeders ran out of rat pups so i had to get a mice instead. He still ate it regardless

Funny how that is

[kitedemon]

I have not had too many problems with an occasional mouse to a rat feeder. Mine either are going to eat and will take what is there or they are not going to and will simply not feed. I know you have a rack and plans for more so if I were you I'd start to source a RELIABLE supply you likely will have to order them in, by weight is the easiest sizing method (the vary a fair bit) you might look at canadian mouseman near north and snake snax, repcorp too. they all keep large amounts of feeders and can supply what you will need.

[mattchibi]

I have not had too many problems with an occasional mouse to a rat feeder. Mine either are going to eat and will take what is there or they are not going to and will simply not feed. I know you have a rack and plans for more so if I were you I'd start to source a RELIABLE supply you likely will have to order them in, by weight is the easiest sizing method (the vary a fair bit) you might look at canadian mouseman near north and snake snax, repcorp too. they all keep large amounts of feeders and can supply what you will need.

Thanks yet again for your help! Exactly what Ive been looking for