yea-- i started that way too--- I had live only feeders but with red tails-- theres no way to keep them on mice...

I eventually started having to do stunned rats--- I really dont like it but i'm a big "humaine animal treatment" person... so it is hard for me still-- it took me about 2 months of just having to get over the soft heart I have-- and to ignore the squeeks and twitches-- BUT -- after 5-6 feedings of stunned rats-- i offered a F/T from tongs-- and WHAMMO- took it and has eaten F/T ever since...

tips.... If you're willing to try stunned again-- turn your radio up loud... i thump rats either in my bathtub or on my front porch (depending on time of day and traffic...yha know...)--- I just whack and drop in the cage-- its usually wrapped up in a matter of seconds and dead shortly there after.

as for size--- I've gone 100% to rats now, for me they're cheaper-- I have a guy that sells them to me for 1$ each--- far cheaper than anywhere else-- i've seen his set up, and have had great luck with his stuff-- and all he does is rats-- occasionally i'll get a mouse for something new that is stubborn-- and it costs me 3$ for a tiny mouse, when i'm getting xxl rats for 1$... and they're more nutritious (or juicy as previously labeled...)-- and i've noticed a change in thier waste... it doesnt seem to smell as bad...
anyway-- i'd go with rats- and they should be as big or slightly bigger than your snakes middle. you would be suprized what snakes can eat--

and you know how people here are-- we'd love to see pics!

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

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