Unlike many in the forum, I have one, single Ball Python pet, and I'm not planning to get any more. I enjoy my one pet immensely, and don't have the breeding/collecting "bug," (though I really appreciate the knowledge and interest of those who do). Being retired, if all things go well, my young snake may very well outlive me . That said,

Because I have only one snake, buying feeder rats online is impractical because of shipping costs/freezer keep time/logistics. Online purchase seems to be the only way to get rat pups or weaned rats (the size my snake currently needs), because no local suppliers carry them... if they do, they seem to run out immediately, or sell all their small rats before they reach pup size. One place does carry rat fuzzies, but I have to drive a good distance to get there. Thus far, they've been what I've been feeding my snake, but he's now at a size (26 inches, 230 grams) where they're too small. I switched him to rats soon after I got him, on advice of some here in the forums. I had NO trouble with the switch.

I feel I need to switch back to (large) mice now, because small rats (smallest available from local suppliers) are just too big. Just wondering if other owners with just one or a few pets have gone through the same thing, and if switching back and forth between mice and rats is doable as size/growth dictates. And no, I don't want to breed my own rats...

Thanks!