Rats VS Mice

[Dimidiata]

Wasnt sure exactly where this would go but i thought it might fit in here.

My Lfs stopped carrying hoppers and has switched to rat pups(it may be temp, one of the customers is bringing them in). So they had only small rat pups, about the same size as the hoppers, maybe a bit thinner/longer. This is for the KSB. I was wondering, wich would be more healthy the rat pups or hoppers? Then the question of should i switch the king over to rats of a certain size since the store now has them.

 

[marauderhex]

I think rat pups would be more nutritious than hopper mice. Mice in general are a lot of fat, fur, and air (literally).

 

[Dimidiata]

Thanks, im feeding her the first one tomarrow. So could i switch the king to rats equal to the size of adult mice? The rats are actually much more economic in my case, the store has them cheaper then the mice.

 

[katie_]

Wasnt sure exactly where this would go but i thought it might fit in here.

My Lfs stopped carrying hoppers and has switched to rat pups(it may be temp, one of the customers is bringing them in). So they had only small rat pups, about the same size as the hoppers, maybe a bit thinner/longer. This is for the KSB. I was wondering, wich would be more healthy the rat pups or hoppers? Then the question of should i switch the king over to rats of a certain size since the store now has them.

Ive always heard rats are much healthier option, higher calcium content.
I'm trying to get my Ball on rat pups, because adult rats are more cost effective (than feeder several adult mice)

 

[Notmyfault]

From my experience of keeping snakes, rats and mice are about the same nutrition given that they are about the same size. For a more accurate look, I think you could check out rodentpro's feeder comparison chart to see which best suits your needs.

In my opinion, I like rats better than mice simply for the fact that its just easier to feed 1 rat compared to multiple mice. This is in relation to snakes on the medium/larger end of the spectrum, I have BPs and a Hog Island Boa. For KSBs I've heard they can be on mice their whole lives but in the end, it really is up to what you think is best for you animal.

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[Dimidiata]

Thanks, the king is approaching a little over 3.5ft so i may move her onto them, shes taken up eating 1 adult mouse a week with an ocassional hopper along with it.

 

[TokayKeeper]

I think rat pups would be more nutritious than hopper mice. Mice in general are a lot of fat, fur, and air (literally).

not quite...at least per a 2002 USDA study.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/zoo/WholePreyFinal02May29.pdf

The consolidated data of domestic mice and rats from the study has been compiled here: http://www.leedspetshops.co.uk/index.php?main_page=page&id=69

Per the raw data, mice, particularly adult mice, are ever so slightly better nutritionally at similar size and lower in fat.

In my opinion, I like rats better than mice simply for the fact that its just easier to feed 1 rat compared to multiple mice. This is in relation to snakes on the medium/larger end of the spectrum, I have BPs and a Hog Island Boa. For KSBs I've heard they can be on mice their whole lives but in the end, it really is up to what you think is best for you animal.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Easier and possibly financially cheaper yes, but from a digestive growth potential it is actually better to feed multiple smaller meals that maintains an elevated metabolism than to feed 1 large meal that bogs down the digestive tract.

 

[Dimidiata]

So it would still be better to feed to small rats then one large mouse? Anywhos i thought id update now. The KSB is likeing the rat pinkies much more then anything ive ever presented to her. She scarfed it down in just about 3 or so minutes, compared to the usual 1-2 hours i spend trying with mice hoppers. It would seem that you get more for you buck in my case aswell. The Hoppers are really full of air and their body mass that actually contributes significant nutrition is very little compared to the rat pinkie. Simply put, the hoppers are all air and hair. The pinkies are solid. I like the idea of her eating something of the same size with twice the benifit. NOT to say that its possible that even though the hopper has less, its not more nutritional.

The second link suggests that rat pups are better then mouse hoppers i belive. Either way i am not really presented with a choice here XP.

 

[TokayKeeper]

So it would still be better to feed to small rats then one large mouse?

At 10 grams or greater (up to 50grams) both are about equal, with the rats higher in fat.

 

[animeavatar]

I dunno if this is a stupid q but can you 'gutload' them( I mean if you feed live adults or something like that)?

 

[Dimidiata]

Yup.