Nutrition Rats vs. Mice

[LGL]

Mouse, domestic (Mus domesticus) - Neonatal, <3 g: 64.2% Crude Protein, 17.0% Crude Fat.
Mouse, domestic (Mus domesticus) - Juvenile, 3-10 g: 44.2% Crude Protein, 30.1% Crude Fat.
Mouse, domestic (Mus domesticus) - Adult or >10 g: 55.8% Crude Protein, 23.6% Crude Fat.

Rat (Rattus norvegicus) - Neonatal, <10 g: 57.9% Crude Protein, 23.7% Crude Fat.
Rat (Rattus norvegicus) - Juvenile, 10-50 g: 56.1% Crude Protein, 27.5% Crude Fat.
Rat (Rattus norvegicus) - Adult or >50 g: 61.8% Crude Protein, 32.6% Crude Fat.


Source: http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp

[Artistry Exotics]

I don't know if it's true or not either, but have been wondering the same thing myself. My boss at the pet store says that rats are more nutritious than mice because their organs are bigger, but I don't know if he's right or not.

[DM1975]

My snakes seem to grow better on rats than on mice. I have no science to back anything up, but all of my snakes take rats, even the baby ones so I keep them on it and they do fine. I used to feed mice and rats, but I noticed that the snakes on rats seemed to be more hardy than the ones on mice so I switched them all over. It works for me so that is what I do.

[JUNKyardHOE]

I heard that feeding one rat as opposed to two mice there is less hair and bone per amount of protein and fat so there is less waste... and my bp has been pooping less since i switched to rats

[Solinger]

Check this out

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/zoo/Who...nal02May29.pdf

I don't remember where I found it, this forum, another or a google search, but here is a study of different food types.

[omnibus2]

Interesting. Yea all I know is rats have more fat.

[BuddhaLuv]

2. Last night after he ate his second f/t mouse I waited for 30 minutes or so and then went in his terrarium to spot clean, clean his water dish etc.. Well, when he first heard me slide the lid again he came out and looked at me like he was waiting for a 3rd mouse LOL. He gave up when he realized that I was just cleaning and went back in his hide. However, is he just being a pig now, or should I feed him more then 2? LOL

Thanks for any input

One other member and I were wondering if one of you could address this question above?

Tanveer is over 1100 grams. I am currently feeding 2 adult f/t mice every 7 days. After reading some of the posts (thank you to all) I may attempt small f/t rats again. I am just afraid it will cause him to go on strike again and not eat

[branson]

How big are the mice that you're feeding; what's the total weight of the prey items? My girl is 1100 g and was eating between 4 and 5 mice (~120-130 g) before I switched her over to F/T rats a few weeks ago. She's a late 2007. Two adults sounds like a small meal to me, but I'm fairly new to BPs.

My girl is now eating a single F/T rat (~80 g) every week. I'm trying to get her to eat two, but she just won't do it.

[seeya205]

Rats do have more fat! Also it is cheaper to buy one rat then several mice and the mice only increase as the snake grows! It is less stress on the bp to eat once than several times in a row!

[BuddhaLuv]

How big are the mice that you're feeding; what's the total weight of the prey items? My girl is 1100 g and was eating between 4 and 5 mice (~120-130 g) before I switched her over to F/T rats a few weeks ago. She's a late 2007. Two adults sounds like a small meal to me, but I'm fairly new to BPs.

My girl is now eating a single F/T rat (~80 g) every week. I'm trying to get her to eat two, but she just won't do it.

Uh oh, if you were feeding 4 to 5 then I am definately not feeding enough! I haven't been able to weigh them but I can tell you that they are quite small compared to the small-med f/t rat I was feeding previously. Not sure what the average adult mouse weighs

Well damn, just when I thought for sure I had everything figured out LOL. I guess I will try and feed a small f/t rat on Tuesday (feeding day). Sigh.... I will let ya'll know how that goes. I just hope he takes it because he wouldn't when fasting.

Thanks for the input Branson! He is my first BP and I have only had him since April.