Fuzzy rats vs. small adult mice

[WhompingWillow]

Some of our snakes are in that awkward phase where they are too big for hoppers but too small for rat pups. I generally try to switch everyone over to rats as quickly as possible, which means these guys have been taking rat fuzzies for several weeks. But I'm wondering if it's more nutritious to feed small adult mice instead of the rat fuzzies, since the mice would be weaned/further developed than the fuzzies.

Any thoughts on which is better, or is it all the same in the end?

[JodanOrNoDan]

I've done both, but generally my rule is the sooner they are on rats the better. As far as nutrition goes, who knows but I don't recall a change in growth either way.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Gram per gram it's all the same, you don't have to switch some people feed mice exclusively, but the advantage of rats in the future will be one prey vs multiple (which not all animals will take), so if you switch the sooner the better, the longer you wait the harder it is.

[Lord Sorril]

The chart on this web page contains the nutritional data for each http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/000AD...nal02May29.pdf

My assessment of the data: They are relatively the same between 10 and 50 grams by weight.

[WhompingWillow]

Thanks! I'll continue with the rat fuzzies.

[Valyndris]

I've always heard rats are better for them and to switch them to rats as soon as possible. I remember my ball python being on rats when I adopted him at around 1 month old, the breeder had already switched him to rats before I got him.