About feeding...

[ali.randax3]

So, I will be getting my BP Tuesday morning. I was told she is eating a rat fuzzy every Sunday. I have 2 questions...

1. Since I am just getting her on Tuesday, should I feed her on Sunday or should I wait until the Sunday after to feed her?
2. The only store I know that's close enough to me, doesn't have rat fuzzys. Can I feed her rat pups?

He said she's only about 75 grams right now.

[FayeGrimm]

1. As long as you keep stress levels low, then you should be able to feed her the first Sunday. In the first 2-3 days you'll usually have trouble getting them to eat, but usually by 5-7 days they'll be more comfortable in the new setup.

2. I wouldn't recommend feeding pups when she's still only 75g. Pups can get up to 30g so that'd be almost half her weight, plus it's typically better to feed smaller rather than larger when you first get a new snake. Does the store carry mouse hoppers or weaned mice? Those are about the same size as a rat fuzzy so could be used as a replacement. Another alternative would be to feed 2 rat pinkies if you'd rather stick with rats. Lastly, if you're picking her up in person you might be able to get the seller to give/sell you one or more of the fuzzies she has been eating to keep her diet as consistent as possible that first week.

[sufficio]

Another option could be to get the pups and cut them in half, if you're not squeamish. I had to do that for a little while for my corn. I usually lopped the heads off and fed each half at different feeding times. Though someone can correct me if this is incorrect or bad to do!

[EL-Ziggy]

I agree that a rat pup is probably too large for her. If you're feeding f/t you could place an order online Monday, have them by Wednesday, and feed on Sunday.

[ali.randax3]

1. As long as you keep stress levels low, then you should be able to feed her the first Sunday. In the first 2-3 days you'll usually have trouble getting them to eat, but usually by 5-7 days they'll be more comfortable in the new setup.

2. I wouldn't recommend feeding pups when she's still only 75g. Pups can get up to 30g so that'd be almost half her weight, plus it's typically better to feed smaller rather than larger when you first get a new snake. Does the store carry mouse hoppers or weaned mice? Those are about the same size as a rat fuzzy so could be used as a replacement. Another alternative would be to feed 2 rat pinkies if you'd rather stick with rats. Lastly, if you're picking her up in person you might be able to get the seller to give/sell you one or more of the fuzzies she has been eating to keep her diet as consistent as possible that first week.

They do carry them, but I would rather keep her on rats since I hear they are better for them. He did say that she should take f/t with no problem, but I'd like to feed her live for her first few feedings with me just so I can make sure she won't refuse. I eventually would like to switch her over though. And no, I'm getting her shipped to me, so that won't work. I shall figure something out (:

[ali.randax3]

Another option could be to get the pups and cut them in half, if you're not squeamish. I had to do that for a little while for my corn. I usually lopped the heads off and fed each half at different feeding times. Though someone can correct me if this is incorrect or bad to do!

Do you do that with f/t or live? She is eating live right now and I don't think I could do that with a live rat lol.

[ali.randax3]

I agree that a rat pup is probably too large for her. If you're feeding f/t you could place an order online Monday, have them by Wednesday, and feed on Sunday.

I'd like to feed her f/t, but I'm afraid that she won't take it as she is eating live rats right now. I would like to give her live for a few feedings and then try to switch her over.

[FayeGrimm]

They do carry them, but I would rather keep her on rats since I hear they are better for them. He did say that she should take f/t with no problem, but I'd like to feed her live for her first few feedings with me just so I can make sure she won't refuse. I eventually would like to switch her over though. And no, I'm getting her shipped to me, so that won't work. I shall figure something out (:

Yeah, I typically try to feed rats as well. From what I know, rats have more protein while mice have more fat, so generally the rats are the better option. Since she's been on live beforehand it does make sense to try to stick with that until she's more settled in, just stinks that your local store doesn't have anything in the right size for rats. Depending on where you live, it might be worth posting an ad on Craigslist or something similar to see if there are any local feeder breeders that might have something closer to what you're looking for. Worst case, you could order some f/t and if you haven't found a better solution by Sunday offer her one in case she decides to not be picky. Since you're planning to switch to f/t eventually anyways, it wouldn't hurt to order them a bit earlier than needed.

[sufficio]

Do you do that with f/t or live? She is eating live right now and I don't think I could do that with a live rat lol.

Oh dear- no, just frozen thawed. Unless you dispatch them before feeding, definitely don't try to cut a live rat in half!

[Zincubus]

I'm sure I read somewhere recently that mice and rats were virtually identical from a nutrition standpoint but for bigger snakes it's simply easier to feed ONE rat than 2 or 3 or more mice ...




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