Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How big does igor need to get before I can feed her a pinky mouse? I don't even know how big pinky mice are. Igor is still pretty small (not quite 4".

Do you think she'd be ready to try one? If so, where would be the best place to get one?

-s

If that 4" is vent to snout she may take them but I wouldn't push it. I'd give her some growing time yet and just stick with dusted insects to suppliment her worms.
-----
Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Thats a great question: Where do you get pinky mice?

I personally haven't found a place that sells feeder mice. I'm sure if I look a little bit harder at the 'moms & pops' stores I may find some.

I know petsmart doesn't sell feeder mice, and I don't think petco does either. In fact, I don't think any MAJOR petstore chain sells feeder mice. Perhaps because they usually don't sell carnivorous reptiles.

I was thinking about getting two mice and letting them go at it to make some pinkies. Since I only have one MHD, my mouse population would grow WAY to fast (or I'd have to kill a bunch). So I scratched that idea. It may be a good idea if you have a couple of MHD's.

Not too long ago someone on the feeder forum said they were getting too many mice and questioned if they should maybe get more snakes! LOL!!

So there you go, breed your mice and get a monitor, water dragon, or snake to clean up the surplus!

Or, get a group of 1.2 or 1.3 and take all of the pinks and freeze them. When you think you have enough stockpiled find a snake or monitor keeper to give the group to. When you need more pinks start over! Sounds silly but this would work. Otherwise you can order frozen prekilled pinks and lastly you can find pinks at most mom & pop reptile stores.

Also, check your local herp club and find someone who keeps snakes and see if you can work something out to buy a few pinks from them.

If none of this works for you don't worry about it. Pinks aren't mandatory from what we know at this point in time. They are just useful sometimes in getting a new mom interested in eating again after laying her eggs. Most moms get right back to eating but the occasional one needs a boost.

-----
Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I guess I'll give her some more time to grow before I start worrying about it. She's eating fine, but I wanted to give her a treat. I don't know if I'd be able to get her interested in a dead mouse, so when I do get her one, I'll check out the various places that you suggested. That way, I won't hafta force a dead thing down her throat (kinda detracts from the whole idea of it being a treat).
-s

force them down their throats. Just use tongs and lay it in front of them and slightly jiggle the tongs enough for it to look like the pink is strugling. Trust me, if she doesn't take it or she won't take a live one either!
-----
Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

i dunno i tried to do that before and they weren't interested... I think these lizards have a mind of there own lol i mean they dont scratch at the glass because they know it wont help. and one time there was a whole in the cover of my cage and my male got stuck when he tried jumping thru it believe it or not!

I always recommend purchasing from good reputable "mom&pop" stores that have healthy reptiles, as opposed to big chain stores, whether you're buying supplies, animals, or food.

If you can't find pinkys at a "m&p" store, Petco's do sell frozen rodents, so you can get pinkys there. They are in the "help yourself" freezers between the reptile and fish departments. They are more expensive than they should be, but if you aren't looking to buy alot, they are ok. I don't believe Petco will sell live mice of any size for feeders, and I think they only carry "fancy" mice anyways.

Petsmart is very herp unfriendly, not only will they not sell live pet mice as feeders (the cost would be prohibitive anyways), but they will not sell frozen rodents, and will not sell snakes because they eat rodents (they won't even sell garter snakes/ribbon snakes, even though they eat fish!) Go figure!

Lisa