Quote Originally Posted by Caitlin View Post
I hope this isn't too off-the-wall, but what about ASF? I'd suspect their dander and hair is significantly different from the domestic strain of Norway rat commonly sold as feeders - perhaps the difference is significant enough that you can handle being around them.

If it does come down to looking at other types of snakes, I'd like to cosign the recommendation that you consider the Antaresia pythons - they are hardy, active, curious little snakes with big personalities.
I’m not sure the difference or where to even get them locally to try. I’m faster to try ordering a different animal completely vs the 75 after shipping on a bunch of rat like critters. I currently get my rats the day I feed, frozen, and thaw out within the day. Frozen they are not dangerous to me, as long as I wash my hands.

I know guinea pigs and birds don’t cause
This issue, nor do mice, it’s specifically rats, and I’m willing to bet it’s something in their urine that causes it. Male rats cause a more
Serious reaction vs females.
Had a frozen rat claw scratch my finger
And it swelled like a balloon at work. It’s honestly heartbreaking. I can get rats at work dirt cheap (I’m a pet store manager) but now I’m kind of stuck hoping these other random options work out.
I’m pretty confident that the bci will not be an issue, they seem to eat whatever, but I know my bp’s will be a challenge.