Hamster for bp

[Bogertophis]

In my past experience keeping BPs, they do love both hamsters & gerbils. I have serious doubts as to any pet store vaccinating hamsters...at least, that's a new one on me! I'd ask my (or any) veterinarian first, if that's ever done- because I have a feeling that the pet store person who said that is just b.s.-ing to make a sale (make the hamsters sound safer, knowing they may bite). I used to raise dwarf hamsters for some years & sold many to the local pet store...never vaccinated any, lol. And they didn't bite, anyway...I guaranteed their temperaments, & exchanged any that the store had a problem with (very rare, & probably the human handler's fault), but in any event, culled hamsters were a delicacy to my snakes. I didn't keep many gerbils, & not for long- just gave them a try, but snakes appreciate them too.

Just never (NEVER) feed any hamsters or gerbils live- your snake will likely get bit & vet bills are not fun. I was amazed when I started raising the hamsters that the babies, with eyes still closed, would growl & bite in self-defense! They are NOT like rats or mice with eyes closed- they fight back very well. I think you'll find hamsters are more fattening to snakes than rats & mice (I raised zillions of them for many years), & also you "may" have trouble getting a BP back to eating rats & mice after you give them a "treat" (of a hamster, gerbil, or ASF) so make sure you have a steady supply that is also affordable if you do this. Unless you just won the lottery...