my bumblebee girl is around 500 or 600 grams i'm guessing. she gobbles down 2-3 live mice every 5 days. i've tried a "small" rat probably 6 or 7 times now. the live mice i've been getting from the pet store are pretty small, and the small rats are pretty big, especially compared to the mice. so the rats are a big jump up for her.
so far i've tried rubbing a rat with mouse bedding (although i don't believe the bedding was very "mouse" smelly), and holding a mouse in there by the tail, waiting until she gets into feeding/ strike mode, and taking the mouse out and throwing the rat in there with her. as soon as the rat runs up and bumps her in the face she instantly gets out of feeding mode. i think the size of them intimidates her.
i THINK i might have found a somewhat local breeder that can get me weaned rats and smaller than "small," but it's about a 45 minute drive and not exactly convenient. i think if i can get smaller rats i might be able to get her to take. i haven't tried straight up rubbing a rat with a mouse yet, which i may do soon.
any tips? should i try switching to f/t mice and THEN switch to f/t rats? or switch straight to live rats?
but my main question is, how long should i be stubborn and let her go without eating? i know babies can't go long without eating, but she's up to 5 or 600 grams. i hate seeing her miss meals and i've only let her miss one meal in a row, always giving in and giving her some mice on the second week.
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