Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what everyone's opinion is about african rats? I know they are a good food for finicky eaters but I have heard that they are going the route of taking over as the #1 feeder instead of mice. Now I personally doubt this since they are not readily available yet as much as mice and a lot of time if a snake eats one of these guys theres a chance they wont take anything else which wouldnt really matter if they were going the route of what mice are now. Just wondering other opinions. Thanks.
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Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation

Reptiles

1.0 Uroplatus phantasticus
2.0 Uromastyx malienisis
0.2 Eublepharis macularis
1.0 Chrysemys picta dorsalis
0.1 Physignathus cocincinus
0.0.1 Hemidactylus turcicus
0.1 Lepidactlyus lugrubis

They smell less than mice. They have bigger litters. They can deal with the heat in a big way. They drink less than mice and produce less urine. I think that is the reason they smell less than mice. They can eat lab block and can get by with just that, but I supplement with seeds and carrots and crickets of all things. They are bigger than mice at an adult size. I have feed them to womas, Carpalls, Hognose and other snakes. I have also had no problem switching them over to rats. A little scenting seemed to work. The only bad point is they like to bite. And they break the skin like it was nothing. Todd
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www.hybridhaven.net

I have a small group of these rats and I never had any of them try to bite me. Though that may be due to the fact the breeder I bought the colony from regularly socializes with them so they are not nippy.

I find them interesting, their big black eyes are striking against their mostly white/tan or brown fur and overall seem more curious than typical mice.

Unfortunately I really don't have much use for them as feeders since they don't grow big enough for the bulk of my snakes. I need at least small to medium rat sizes but I bought the soft furs to help with a couple yearling balls that are a bit finicky. They are of course, eating fresh killed rat pups fine as soon as I bought the colony....

Really frustrating...the closest breeder of rats only breeds these buggers...so when I am short normal rats, I have to either pay for shipping or pay higher prices at the pet store.
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PHLdyPayne