Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've heard that there's a problem with switching a mice eaing snake to a rat eating snake. Is this true? Also how big are rat pinkies, cause my snake's Monday fuzzy mouse(live)wasn't enough, so i think I'm gonna try feedng him/her a pinky rat.

(I own a 22 inch mexican black king)

I haven't had any trouble at all converting kings or ratsnakes to taking rats when they have been eating mice. All of mine have taken them willingly, and some even prefer them to mice.

The only group of snakes I have had a hard time converting to rats are Morelia spilota, which seem to have some natural aversion to rats.

I am in the process of switching my snakes to rats now, All switched over without a problem with the excepton of my female Florida King. To get her to eat a rat pup I let her kill a mouse and before she finished eating it I put a rat pup in with her and while in her "feeding frenzy" she promptly kill the pup and ate it. Problem will be getting her to just take the pup with out having to have her prekill a mouse. I also rolled the pup in the mice litter (I breed my own food so easy to do, you may be able to get some from your local pet store). Try the bait and switch. My female has always been a picky eater so it may work for you.

Good Luck,
Miller
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1.1 Florida King ('02 Pit & '00 Pearl)
1.1 Eastern Kings (2004 Orca & Sugar Pie)
1.0 Black Milksnake (2005 Bubba)
1.0 Chow Chow (2003 Papi)
0.2 Cats (Stella and Shug)

There is no problem if you do not try, yes? And there may not be a problem until you try, yes? So basically you have to try first and SEE if there is a problem. Most likely you will no need to ask. Good luck FR