Few Questions....

[Salblock]

Recently I've purchased 2 Bps and love em! My male i just fed last monday night and was wandering i read it best to leave them alone after they eat for a while. How many days should i wait? Also, i fond a bunch of sites that have rodents for sale. The rodents are way cheaper on the site but you have to buy like 50-100 or a pag and then pay for next day shipping so it equals like 53.75 for 50 hoppers. Is it worth that? does anyone have suggestions on where to go for them cheaper? And what happens if my snakes out grow those hoppers before i use them all?

[ladywhipple02]

You shouldn't handle your BP for at least twenty-four hours after they feed. It's usually all right then, but not for an extended period of time. They'll let you know when they're ready... mine curl up next to the heat immediately after eating and don't move for a day or so. As for getting frozen mice online... it is quite a bit cheaper, but you have to buy A LOT to save on shipping costs. If you buy quite a bit up front, the shipping really isn't that bad. I don't really have enough snakes to make it worth it right at the moment (especially with my baby still eating live).

I read on one forum (can't remember if it was here or not) that when the snakes got too big for the hoppers, they used them as snacks for the snakes... every couple of days or so. Hope this helps!

[Adam_Wysocki]

It generally takes a ball python 48 hours to digest a prey item. Handling before that time could result in regurgitation.

Your snake can never really "out grow" a food item ... they are amazingly efficient feeders and all you have to do is keep feeding them as normal and when your "bag" runs out order the next size up if you need to.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[rabernet]

Hey Adam,


Is there any truth to the pinky mice and pinky rats having more protein than the older versions? I read on another forum, and someone posted the percentages of protein of mice and rats starting from pinkie up to adult. Not that I plan to be feeding Kashmire pinky mice, but might switch to pinkie rats if there's any truth to it when he's size appropriate. How do the pinkie rats compare in size to the mice (ie, is it the size of a small mouse, large mouse, etc).

And, if it is true, does it matter? One question I've been meaning to ask, is there any need for any supplements for our balls, or do they get all they need from proper husbandry and regular feeding?

Robin

[new2BP]

rabernet, although i am very new to bps i do know that they get all of there nutrients and protiens that they need right from he mouse or rats. i also heard that mice and rats are all equal when it comes to which is more healthy for the snake. however i am not sure about your question on pinky rats vs mouse. i bet adam can tackle that one.

[kavmon]

rodent sizes vary alot. you can go to www.rodentpro.com and they have pics with sizes and weights. a rat pup on average is about the same weight and size as a fully grown mouse. you snake will do fine on either rats or mice. rats are bigger hence they have more calories and nutrients that's why people notice faster growth on rats. if you were to feed your snake the same amount (weight) in mice the results would be similiar.



vaughn

[Adam_Wysocki]

There's a "whole prey" study floating around the internet that shows mice of certain sizes have more of certain nutrients than rats of comparable sizes and vice versa ..... while I agree that it's a very interesting read, my problem with the claim that rats are "better" than mice or whatever is that there is no study that shows what the nutritional requirements of a ball python are.

If a young ball python needs far less calcium, protein, and other nutrients than either an adult mouse or weaner rat has, the excess would just get passed as waste and the point about which prey item is better would be moot.

Without knowing specifically what the precise nutritional requirements of a ball python are, the amount of protein, calcium, or whatever else in either rats or mice is nothing more than an interesting side note.

I believe in feeding my snakes #1 whatever prey items they will eat, and #2 whatever is most convenient and cost effective for me as a keeper. In my opinion, using that formula you and your snake can't go wrong!!

-adam

[rabernet]

Great, thanks for answering Adam! You've noticed I haven't been calling you up and worrying you to death lately? LOL


I'm so much calmer now, understanding ball python behavior better since talking with you.

And I'm so thrilled that we've had our second de-worming and Kashmire's on his way to good health!

If you don't mind, I'll still probably pick your brain in the future! Especially when I'm ready for a second (hopefully female het of some kind), and hopefully from you!

[Adam_Wysocki]

Don't ever hesitate to give me a call about anything! .... I LIVE for this stuff!!!!

-adam

[Ken]

Adam,

Thank you for finally articulating what has been running around in my head for a few years!

With the constant barrage of "rats are better," that is always followed with anecdotal evidence ("my snake grew more") I always wondered how people were defining "better."

In the absence of objective standards for nutritional requirements of the animal you are feeding, it is almost impossible to determine which feeder is better.

I remember reading the comparison charts and saying to myself, there doesn't seem to be a "better" AND doesn't it depend on what my BP needs?

My dog and cat are both mammals who love each other's food. The cat food gives the dog the runs and the dog food gives the cat crystals in her urine. Which food is better? Uh, the dog food is better for the dog and the cat food for the cat. I guess it depends on what you're feeding.

Thanks again Adam. I appreciate having voices like your's on the boards that bring experience, knowledge, and a little logic to our hobby.

K