Considering switching to rats, but have a question!

[Toxic Tessa]

When I got Kaa back in November - she was extremely underweight and in truth I have no clue exactly how old she is. She is at least 8-9months. Since then I have been diligently trying to get her weight up however she refused rat pups when I got her and would only eat mice. At the moment I have her on a 5 day feeding schedule and has begun taking 2 large mice per feeding for about a month and a half now.

I took her to the vet about two weeks ago for a check up and she's got a clean bill of health. She is only around 350g which I know is rather petite compared to most. However, thankfully she eats like a champ! I would like to switch to rats for the nutritious value and am hoping that she'll take one.

Any idea on what size rat I should try?

[Inarikins]

A 35-50ish gram rat. 10-15% of your snake's weight. Try to go on the side of 10%, though, at least while you're switching. There isn't really a nutritional difference between rats and mice, but you're already feeding two mice at a time and that's only going to increase. I would get her on rats just for ease of feeding. There's a great thread on how to switch a snake from mice to rats:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-feeder-types

I would try scenting your weaner/small rat (or whatever size you go with as long as the weight is in the proper range) with a leftover mouse if you have one. Just thaw and warm the rat how you normally would, then take the still-frozen mouse and just rub the rat all over with the mouse, making sure you do it thoroughly. Just to help fool her senses into thinking it's a mouse and not a rat. If she takes it, then try the next time with an unscented rat. You might have to be patient and persistent. If she's as good of an eater as you say, I don't think you'll have any issues.

You should have already invested in a digital scale but if you haven't, now would be a good time :3

[Toxic Tessa]

Inarikins

Thank you a bunch and I will go give that thread a read! I've actually got a digital scale, but am currently at work and wont be back until tomorrow morning. I'll have to go check out what the locals stores have f/t wise. The last time I was in the smallest size they had was around 90-100g. I may need to order online.

[AK907]

There isn't really a nutritional difference between rats and mice

Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have personally seen a major difference in growth rates between mousers and rat eaters (both on a 10-15% body weight diet). Our rat eaters usually grow at a much quicker rate and have better overall body mass. Mousers we've had are usually slower growing and tend to be a lot lankier. You can get all scientific and quote nutritional values done in some lab, but coming from first hand experience and seeing the real life results, those numbers don't mean much to me. Other than that, I'll second what you have said. Start small and scent.

AKedit: Tessa, check out Big Cheese Rodent Factory. They will have what you need.

[Inarikins]

Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have personally seen a major difference in growth rates between mousers and rat eaters (both on a 10-15% body weight diet). Our rat eaters usually grow at a much quicker rate and have better overall body mass. Mousers we've had are usually slower growing and tend to be a lot lankier. You can get all scientific and quote nutritional values done in some lab, but coming from first hand experience and seeing the real life results, those numbers don't mean much to me. Other than that, I'll second what you have said. Start small and scent.

I used to say that rats were better nutrition-wise and a bunch of people jumped down my throat about it, so... :/

But yeah, Tessa, a 90-100g F/T rat is wayyyyyyy too big. Call around and see if you can't find a place that has something smaller. You're going to probably want a large weaner or a small small. You could also try putting an ad out on Craigslist. Sometimes local herpers breed their own feeders but don't ever advertise. They might be willing to sell to you if you put an ad out. Or you could find somebody to split the costs of shipping with at least.

[Sam Rickim]

Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have personally seen a major difference in growth rates between mousers and rat eaters (both on a 10-15% body weight diet). Our rat eaters usually grow at a much quicker rate and have better overall body mass. Mousers we've had are usually slower growing and tend to be a lot lankier.

Couldn't just be from rats being bigger overall (i.e., feeding more food)?

[Quantum Constrictors]

Couldn't just be from rats being bigger overall (i.e., feeding more food)?

Not really you could have a rat and a mouse the exact same weight BUT the nutritional value IS different.

For the sake of everybody :

Nutritional Value of Mice

Energy
-Dry Mass -Protein -Fat -Ash -kcal/g
Pinkies -19.1% -64.2% -17% - 9.7% -4.87
Young Mice -18.2% -44.2% -30.1% -8.5% -6.65
Adult Mice -32.7% -55.8% -23.6% -11.8% -5.25


Nutritional Value of Rats

Energy
-Dry Mass -Protein -Fat -Ash -kcal/g
Rat Pups -20.8% -57.9% -23.7% -12.2% -5.3
Young Rats -30% -56.1% -27.5% -14.8% -5.55
Adult Rats -33.9% -61.8% -32.6% -9.8% -6.37

Chart taken from : http://www.leedspetshops.co.uk/index...age=page&id=69