Feeding mice back to back- digestion.

[Zombree]

There are a couple of breeders who swear by this method that I will describe, but I was curious on anyone's experience or real thoughts on it other than the specific breeder's own because they are a bit backwater.

They never size up their ball python's food- ever. Just feed more and more mice, back to back. Up to 4-5 in each breeder female a sitting, which could be a couple times a week. I was pretty sure this was harder on their digestion process, but I am unsure. I do not plan on doing this ever to that extent, but I have a sub-adult platty female (Genesis) who really loves mice. For some reason it has been hard to get her onto rats, believe it or not. I have tried a few different methods to make the rat more appealing but for now I was just going to ask is it okay to feed two mice in a sitting if their girth is well equipped to handle it and I am carefully, carefully watching their intake/output? She's growing like a monster and could take down a small rat, but prefers mice for now. Has anyone ever done this? I haven't tried it, yet and won't until I get a better opinion on its effects. Thanks for reading.

[carbn8]

There is no problem feeding twos way. And tout can always use the weight method. Prey items should total about 15% of the total weight of the animal. And there is nothing than says both mice have to be the same size. But there are many other with more experience than my self. So def. See what others say.

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[Gerardo]

The 10-15% rule is meant for hatchlings. You can feed mice for their whole life. Its just easier to feed rats. Ive heard of people feeding 10 mice. I havnt heard of it being a problem.

[Zombree]

Thanks for your input! Yeah hopefully more people comment and then I will get a collective decision. I need to get a scale- that's a bigger problem. I have raised most of my snakes from babies so the food size hasn't been difficult to figure out at all, but if it really is 15% then maybe I am not feeding her enough. She's growing like a weed, literally. I had them weighed for their initial veterinary check in's, but I need to get a really good one that will last awhile for the future anyway. I'll look into scales later. Thanks!

Edit: Just saw second post. Thank you, too! Really good information. I'm happy to hear it in case we have a population decline of rats.

[Zombree]

In other news, my breeder female Arizona has decided to eat finally!!! YAY!!! She bit the prey item I presented her and is tasting it and letting go, but it's something! Not completely ignoring her food now! I pray she just actually eats it! She can taste test all she wants as long as she actually gets it down! Good job, Arizona.

EDIT: She swallowed the rat! Yes. This has been a successful day.

[CORBIN911]

There is nothing wrong at all with them eating many, Theyll just get more calcium from more bones =P... In the end 150-200grams of rat is the same as 150-200gram of mice


What weighs more 100lbs of bricks or 100lbs of feathers?

[Zombree]

Will they actually obtain more calcium? If so I'd almost prefer the method. Aren't snakes always losing calcium due to some normal functioning? I can't remember. Oh well.

[Dracoluna]

The females lose calcium when developing eggs but will regain it just fine while eating mice/rats. Feeding multiples isn't a problem by any means unless they eat more than they should. Most snakes won't do this anyways though I have one that will overeat so use common sense. If the snake is only 400 grams, don't give it 4 jumbo mice. While it's easier to feed rats, some naturally do better with mice. Since I have corns as well, feeding nights include a mix of rats and mice. My 'mousers' get offered rats and sometimes they take them, sometimes they don't. I always have someone willing to eat any leftovers. The one great thing about having more than 1 of these guys. No food is ever wasted.

[CORBIN911]

for health reasons theres not big difference from rat>mice... Rats supposedly help growth, But mice are just fine, reason is you dont wanna have to do 4-5 feeding per snake vs one rat.

[KMG]

Oh I can't imagine trying this for my big blood. The cost of mice would kill me and then it would take hours to thaw and heat them. Then another day to feed all million mice to her.

I don't see this method as a rational choice for a large collection. Money and time invested in such a method would just be wasted in my eyes. I would much rather thaw one rodent for each snake, present one rodent to each snake, then go to sleep. I have had to feed multiples and I found it annoying.