Rats

[MikeC1212]

Please help.

What's the smallest rat that will live on it's own? Age won't help me because I bet the pet store doesn't know. I'm wondering because should my snake refuse her first meal.. what am I supposed to do with a fuzzy or pup for a week when I try again? It's quite a drive to the pet stores and all of them suck. They don't sell frozen and I'm not interested of getting a pack frozen from a site. Not thrilled w/ the idea of keeping 50 rats (almost a years worth!) in my freezer. Thanks.


Oh, if mice are smaller and could live better on their own.. how would that be? She was eating live rat pups before I got her.


Mike

[lord jackel]

For certain if its eyes are open and it can hold its own food - it will be fine if you set it up with food and water.


If it cannot hold it own food (or eyes closed) then it is hit or miss. You will pry end up needing to bottle feed it at first.

Are the eyes open and is is active?

[MikeC1212]

I don't have the rat yet. I know it depends on the size of the snake as far as how big the prey is.. but I guess it's going to be a call I'll have to make on the rat's size. I'll be looking for something that has it's eyes open as I don't want or have time to bottle feed a feeder.

What about going to a mouse? For the first couple feeds? Would that be bad? I just figured they'd have their eyes open at a smaller size than a rat and be able to eat on their own if they weren't accepted..

[rabernet]

If your snake is a baby, get a mouse hopper. Rats grow big fast, so if she refuses the first week, it may be too big the next.


Get a critter keeper set up with some bedding, food and water in case you have to house the mouse.

[MikeC1212]

Already have all that stuff because I've been planning ahead some what.. I just come here to the PROS when things are a little unclead ..or debatable.
Thanks a lot.

[Snikt228]

Mice stink though if you keep them, especially males

[frankykeno]

If your concerned about holding over live feeders and them outgrowing your snake's size requirement than an adult mouse is likely your best bet. A regular sized adult mouse is basically the equivalent size wise of a rat pup (not one that's close to weaning though, those can be quite a lot bigger).

If you have to go with rat pups then ask for some that have their eyes open and are eating but are not close to weaning age. That's about 18-20 days of age when they can be independent of their mother's milk. I don't wean our pups until older than that but for a feeder pup you could manage with that. That age shouldn't grow too much in 1 week if you do have to hold it over. Just compare it sizewise to an adult feeder mouse for a good idea of size.