just a question...

[Joolz68]

My snake currently feeds on petstore P/T mice. Lately, the stock has been scrawny (thin-fleshed). I'm hoping they will get 'fuller' (fatter) once it starts getting warmer. In the meantime, I was thinking of buying online, but don't like the $55 shipping fee.

Their rat stock looks more plump. And I know they are more nutritious. But they don't always have them available, and I'd hate to run out. So before I start on rats, my question is:
If I give my snake rats, would I be able to go back to mice easily?

Even though they are in the same 'family', I assume they taste different (like chicken vs. turkey). Or is my reasoning faulty?

I plan to buy online eventually, just waiting for her to get up to the bigger sizes to buy quantities in bulk (that pesky $55 again).

 

[Flagg]

My corns eat both depending on what I have in the freezer at the proper size, and don't seem to have any problems switching back and forth. But then I haven't given any of them an exclusive rat diet for any length of time either. They may go 3 or 4 feedings or so on rats and then I usually try to switch to mice for a few feedings.

Could you find a different local source for frozen mice? a local feeder breeder or reptile show maybe, or a different pet store?

 

[Joolz68]

No luck w/ local feeder breeder. Reptile shows not often (next one in April). Trying to find another pet store clean enough to sample (very slim pickings).

Will try a rotation diet: every 4th feeding- a rat. Thanks for prompt response!

 

[Tracee]

I was strongly advised against feeding rats recently because they are so fatty (i.e. not as nutritious) although now and then I will chuck one in for a bit of extra meat to grab. According to this person (a reliable local breeder), you wouldn't have trouble switching back to mice from rats because "why would he have beefburger when he can have steak?"

Interpret that how you will

 

[Fenderplayer108]

I feed all my corns mice. Adults that are 500+ grams will get a small rat every now and then. I have had good & bad experiences with rats. I have had snakes take them great, and feed on them for a long while, and become fat. I have also had snakes refuse to take rats, and I have also had snakes take rats, and refuse to go back onto mice.

I would stick with mice for corns, smaller corns especially.

 

[Nanci]

http://rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp

This chart compares various prey items' nutrition.

Nanci

 

[rosecat]

I recently was looking at online ordering for mice too, and found that some of the places have expensive shipping. I ended up deciding to go with www.themousefactory.com. Their shipping starts @ $25 and goes up as the weight of purchase goes up. I bought 200 sm pinkies & 50 lg pinkies for a total cost of $75 (w/ shipping) which ends up being about $0.40 per mouse. Which sounds like its a better deal than where you were looking.

I hope this helps

~rosecat

 

[jaxom1957]

I ended up deciding to go with www.themousefactory.com.

I agree. For anyone in the western half of the US, TheMouseFactory's shipping is the best deal around. The mice I receive from them are always clean and vacuum packed.

 

[snakemom1961]

No luck w/ local feeder breeder. Reptile shows not often (next one in April). Trying to find another pet store clean enough to sample (very slim pickings).

QUOTE]

If you can get to the reptile show, You could purchase a larger quantity of mice at a great price. The reptile show we have locally I was able to buy ex-breeder mice for 50 cents each. I got 16 of them and that will last me about 4 months. I think most mice if packaged well will last 6 months or more in the freezer. The ones I purchased were vacuum packed so I know I won't have to worry to much about freezer burn. Good luck!