What size rat to feed?

[nikevijo]

I got 3 new girls, 1 boy all alittle over 330g. They are eating rat pup now, can I move them up to a weaner?

[CA cowgirl]

I got 3 new girls, 1 boy all alittle over 330g. They are eating rat pup now, can I move them up to a weaner?

Here's what I suggest...

Whichever of them are eating their food:

• with enthusiasm each time you offer it; and
• they've had about half a dozen straight meals w/o refusals

then you probably would be well off bumping up their prey size. *Edit: I realize you say these animals are new to you, right? I'd keep the next several meals as rat pups, just to be safe. Perhaps offer them at 5-7 day intervals to get things moving along and ensure they have plenty of food. /edit

Generally a good rule of thumb for bps is to offer them prey that is 10-15% of their body weight. Slightly more or slightly less can be okay too. Just be cautious with feeding live prey that is larger than the snake is accustomed to and supervise the feeding to make sure the rat doesn't take a bite out of your snake(s).

Here's Rodent Pro's sizing guide for rats... link... and the weaned rats sound good!

[chapskis1]

I got 3 new girls, 1 boy all alittle over 330g. They are eating rat pup now, can I move them up to a weaner?

I would probably just keep feeding them rats -- I'm not sure if any research has been done, or if anyone has had any success feeding bp's hot dogs.

-- Sorry, I couldn't resist...

[RichsBallPythons]

I would wait another 1-200 gram gain in them before jumping to wean rats. Rat pups are a decent size meal for them. I have few 09s that size eating rat pups and you can tell they ate, could only imagine how much bigger a wean would be in their lil bodies.