Is my ball python under weight or just a slow grower?

[Bassman23]

i just measured him and he’s about 16 inches. so he’s smaller than i thought so maybe he’s just a slow grower. i cant get rats unil october at an expo because i dont know of any breeders in my area that aren’t 4 hours away. so for right now i have to get mice from pet stores and i dont wanna over pay on shipping online

[Bogertophis]

He's fine being raised on mice. I wouldn't worry. Some BPs welcome a change to rats, others don't- no way to know until you offer them. They smell & taste different to a snake.

I'll just add that the main reason people switch their BPs from mice to eating rats is for "convenience", because when these snakes become adult sized, a decent meal will take a couple of mice, whereas one appropriately-sized rat would suffice. And BPs "being BPs"- some only accept ONE item for a meal, whether or not it's big enough, so it has become popular to switch BPs over to feeding rats. Some BPs have feeding preferences, but most will accept the change with a little persuasion.

[Bogertophis]

...They're more nutritious compared to mice

That's not true- according to studies I've read rats & mice are quite comparable in terms of nutrition, but statements like yours are often repeated.
(There are minor differences, of course, but not enough to justify choosing one over the other on the basis of "nutrition".)

And keep in mind that BPs didn't evolve in nature eating either one- not domestic rats OR domestic mice.

[Bassman23]

i dont think my bp would have a problem switching just because the breeders fed him live and he didn’t have a problem switching to frozen thawed. he’s never missed a meal.

[Bogertophis]

i dont think my bp would have a problem switching just because the breeders fed him live and he didn’t have a problem switching to frozen thawed. he’s never missed a meal.

Good snake! Some are quite fussy, but others aren't.

[Snow Balls]

That's not true- according to studies I've read rats & mice are quite comparable in terms of nutrition, but statements like yours are often repeated.
(There are minor differences, of course, but not enough to justify choosing one over the other on the basis of "nutrition".)

I would bet my house that if you fed one BP mice its entire life compared to another who ate rats its entire life, the one who ate rats would grow faster and larger 10/10 times

[Bogertophis]

I would bet my house that if you fed one BP mice its entire life compared to another who ate rats its entire life, the one who ate rats would grow faster and larger 10/10 times

I have a house, thanks, & I don't want yours. And BPs can live over 30-40 years, so let's not lose any sleep over this, okay?

And you'll notice that even this chart regards them as equivalent:

[Snow Balls]

I have a house, thanks, & I don't want yours. And BPs can live over 30-40 years, so let's not lose any sleep over this, okay?

And you'll notice that even this chart regards them as equivalent:

You sure? I have a nice house. All your chart provides are equivalent sizes of rodents based on the size of the snake, nothing more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bogertophis]

I only posted the feeding chart from this site- suggested feeding equivalents- it's not "mine". In the past, I've seen comprehensive comparisons show little to no difference. May I inquire as to the source of your info? No offense, but anyone can make a chart. To the best of my knowledge, it's opinion, not proven. And I have no quarrel if you wish to promote or recommend a diet of rats.

As I tried to explain, when snakes get larger, it becomes awkward to feed the exact equivalent amount of prey when the snake needs multiple items, & it's likely that most people would stop with 2 mice, whether or not that equaled the size of rat they might have fed instead. Besides, moving is too much trouble when you have as much stuff as I do.