when should you start feeding rats?

[tdragon]

my new bp is feeding on fuzzie mice and was wondering if fuzzie rats were about the same size. if not when should i switch to rats?

[elevatethis]

you will need to wait until your bp has been taking down large adult mice for some time before you switch to rats. Fuzzie mice are MUCH smaller than rat pups. Go to www.rodentpro.com for size comparisons.

[hhw]

I think fuzzie mice are probably too small for your BP. BP's should be able to at least take hopper mice as hatchlings. Just use a prey item the same girth as the thickest part of your BP's body. Also take into account a prey item is thinner when dead and stretched out.

I would switch to rats once weaned rats become the ideal prey item size. However, you may want to occasionally feed your BP a rat pup, just so it's accustomed to the smell and taste of rats so you won't have difficulty switching later on. Your BP can probably already take a fuzzy rat now.

[Cody]

I would switch to rats once weaned rats* become the ideal prey item size.

*mice

I know what you meant, but just wanted to point it out so we don't confuse our friend here.:wink:

[Wizill]

actually i've found it's better to never even let the snake eat mice. makes the transition easier, considering there is no transition...

[led4urhead]

actually i've found it's better to never even let the snake eat mice. makes the transition easier, considering there is no transition...

Yea, if you start your snake out on rat pinkies or pups then you dont even have to worry about a transistion. That way they've never developed a taste for mice ( or any other rodent for that matter ).

[Cody]

Hmm, I've never even thought of that. I think when I get my snakey soon I'll start on rats and then avoid the "mouse to rat switch" altogether. Thanks.

[hhw]

I would switch to rats once weaned rats* become the ideal prey item size.

*mice

I know what you meant, but just wanted to point it out so we don't confuse our friend here.:wink:

Eh? I did mean rats... a BP can take weaned mice or bigger as soon as it hatches. I say wait until your BP can take weaned rats before you start feeding it rats... since fuzzy/pinky rats are still high in fat and don't have fully developed bones.

[Cody]

I see. Still new to the mice and rat sizes. Guess I shouldn't have replied when I don't know what I'm talking about yet. lol