Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like to switch to rats but I'm a little unsure about the size. Right now he gets 2 adult mice every 7 days and wants more the next day. I would like to feed just one rat a week. Should I try rats the same size as the mice or can I go ahead and just start with the larger rats. I know some seem to have problems with the switch and he did have some probs with switching from live to f/t. Right now he eats like a burmese, if it's in there he eats it. Any suggestions or tips for an easy as possible switch is appreciated.

BTW, he's about 2 yrs and 38 inches. I'm leaving now to pick up a new BP of unknown age and 45 inches. It's already eating rats but has been fed live pups.

I'm no seasoned authority, but I did recently have a similar situation.

My two year old ball python (454g) was eating a large mouse once a week, but I wanted fewer feedings plus rats instead of mice. I gave him a large weaned rat (equals two adult mice) and he was happy. Today I'll offer him two weaned rats instead of just one. I have a suspicion that he'd be happier with two.

(Unfortunately, I was underfeeding him ever since I got him, so I'm still tryting to figure things out. The petstore salesperson told me one mouse every other week. After about a year and a half of that, I took it upon myself to increase the feedings to once per week. I'm still not sure he's up to par. He seems active and happy, but who knows? I've recently started a feeding regimen of once every five days along with my other new aquisitions. We'll see how that goes.)

Try the weaned rats. I'm still surprised how much they can take. I have a 205g Reduced Pattern that gulps 'em down like it was cool!

Hoping You Can Glean Some Info From My Ramblings,
Chris
-----
0.1 Normal
0.2 Het Piebald
1.0 Reduced Pattern
0.1 Banded
0.1 Screaming Child

ya I think you might still be underfeeding the snake. I have a very small year old around 500 grams and he eats 2 small rats 1 time a week. I also have a little over year old that will eat 1 medium rat per week. At two years old that snake should be eating way way more than a just weaned rats, in my opinion. I think if they eat mice you should maybe be feeding 2 times a week and I would say let the snake eat as many as it wants in each feeding. My almost yearling that will only eats mice not matter how hard I try to switch her to rats, is around 500 grams will eat at least 3 mice per feeding. Just some suggestions.

http://proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_switch_from_mice_to_rats.html

I agree. I'll be feeding them all tonight, and I expect my two smallest to be satisfied with one weaned rat each. But all (including the one mentioned earlier) will be given the opportunity to take as many as they want. I figure this is the best way to judge how many they'll need at each feeding.

Thanks for the Info,
Chris
-----
0.1 Normal
0.2 Het Piebald
1.0 Reduced Pattern
0.1 Banded
0.1 Screaming Child

I did make a typo in my post. He's about 28", not 38. I'll try and let him take 3 but I think that might be pushing a little. I don't want him to give anything back. The one I just picked up is in blue at the moment and has been eating live pups which are way to small. I think I'll try to start with small f/t and if she goes for it she can definitely take mediums. She's definitely near 4' and nowhere near thin. Her width kind of surprises me since she's been getting 2 pups a week for the last 7 months. I guess they lose weight pretty slow. Thanks for the info.

it should be getting more than that. My 2'ish ball python is taking weaned rats (around 50-60 grams), that BP could probably take a small or even medium rat. Im sure that 45" ball python could take mediums, maybe even large rats. Try to feed one prey item that is about the width of the snake once a week.
-----
0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
0.1 Red blood python (Rhianon)
0.0.1 ball pythons (FELIX!!!!!)
2.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, Bear, and Tony)

My image Gallery
"scientia est vox"

This ought to teach me to use the preview. He's about 28" maybe a little more. They're really hard to measure without help. Both of them are seeing the vet at the end of the week so I should be able to get accurate measurements and weights. The adult mice are just a little thinner than he his. The one I just picked up will definitely take medium rats. Right now I'm assuming it's female due to almost nonexistent spurs. She's pretty big and very strong. She's also in blue and not very happy about it. She hasn't been treated very well, but that's a long story having to due with brainless pet store employees giving wrong information.