BP feeding question

[ChefRob]

New to site (lots of great info) and got my first Ball a couple of months ago. He's 20 in and 155g, about 4 mos old. Pet shop recommend F/T fuzzy mice for feeding and he eats well and regularly (every Friday) except for the first week I had him. (I'm thinking he was just adjusting to his new home). He's taking 2-3 fuzzies, but still seems to be in "hunting mode" after eating so based on his body size and weight I'm going to move to a medium mouse this week. I'd just like for him to feel full after 1 meal versus 3 small ones. My question is: should I move to large mice after he's comfortably taking mediums or move to rat pups? From a lot I have read rats have more nutritional value for the snake. He seems happy and healthy, just want him to get a full belly when he eats. Just got digital scale recently so I don't have any progress charting on his weight gain yet but he seems visably bigger than when I got him. He was smaller than his brother of the same age, but was much more laid back and less skittish so I chose him over his larger sibling. Your thoughts and advice are appreciated. Thanks.

[LittleTreeGuy]

From everything I have read, it seems like the earlier you can get them converted to rats, the better. The nutritional impact is arguable by some... but especially as they get older, it's just easier to give them one rat as opposed to multiple mice. People do it both ways, so it's whatever you want to do. I switched to rat fuzzies and then fairly quickly to rat pups probably around the same stage that you're in now.

[chrid16371]

Take your scale with you to buy rodent and weigh rodents and buy ones that are 10%-15% of body weight. So if your snakes current weight is 155g then feed a rodent 15.5g-23.25g every 5 days. Make sure to weigh the rodent without the bag it's packed in. IMO I would switch to rats asap that way it won't be hooked on mice forever and then you will have to be feeding 3-4 mice per feeding every feeding. They make rats in all sizes so you can offer 1 appropriate sized rodent no matter how big your snake is. At 155g your snake can take rat fuzzies but if you can't get rats around the 10%-15% you will have to feed mice or order online.

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[ChefRob]

Thank you, always good to get feedback from someone who's been there.

[ChefRob]

The medium mice I have are 12-13g ea, so probably still a little too small for him. If he takes them well I will prob go to rat pups since they are about the same size as large mice. Was just concerned of making too big of a size jump and freaking him out since he has been eating well. But I guess if he's hungry he'll appreciate the larger offering.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

As far a food goes gram per gram it's all the same the difference is the convenience of feeding one prey vs feeding multiple which you will have to do once your BP gets bigger if you keep feeding mice.

Now the sooner you switch to rats if that is what you want to do the easier it will be, older individuals can be more tricky to switch.

At 155 grams your BP is well overdue for a bigger size feeder, he can easily eat an adult mouse or a rat put.

What you want to feed for now is a prey size equal your animal's girth size this will change as you BP gets bigger and his metabolism slows down.

If you ever buy an animal from this store in the future keep in mind that the pet store should have actually NEVER recommended Fuzzy Mice as not even hatchlings are started on those but are rather started on hoppers, quickly moving up in sizes.

[JodanOrNoDan]

The medium mice I have are 12-13g ea, so probably still a little too small for him. If he takes them well I will prob go to rat pups since they are about the same size as large mice. Was just concerned of making too big of a size jump and freaking him out since he has been eating well. But I guess if he's hungry he'll appreciate the larger offering.

You are not going to freak him out. He may covert easy or he may give you a hard time. Depends on the animal. I would suggest that you sent a rat with mouse the first time. There are a million threads on here about converting. As he gets larger you will be grateful that you switched him over.