RCReptiles.com

[deborahbroadus]

Lianne, a graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, also holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Simon Fraser University: If you have a species of snake that grows large enough that rats will be fed eventually, it is a good idea to switch to rats while the snake is still young to get them used to eating rats rather than mice. Younger rats that are equivalent in size to older mice can be used:


Excerpts copied from: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16616

Check out this study and decide for yourself.

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

This study offers some interesting statistics about the notion that rates are better than mice as a food source. I've read many posts saying rats are more "nutritious or healthier" than mice. From what I've read in this study, and speaking very generally, I've gathered several contributing factors as to whether rats are really better than mice as a food source.

1) The food that the rat or mouse was raised on will contribute to its overall nourishment for the snake.
2) The age of the rat or mouse at the time of consumption. As the rat or mouse ages from one stage to another there are greater or lesser degrees of certain nutrients.
3) Rats and mice metabolize some nutrients differently-Regarding vitamin E, "Clear species differences in vitamin E metabolism/utilization have been shown between laboratory mice and rats raised on the same diets,7,15 suggesting that species that have not been studied may have different requirements."

The tables provided at the end of the study at times indicates wide variation and at other times very small differences in nutrition, again depending on the age of the rat or mouse. It would seem to me that from this limited study, it would be hard to support the argument, across the board, that rats are nutritionally better than mice. Having said that though when it comes to convenience, cost, and keeping the python feed, it only makes sense to feed larger items, i.e., rats if possible. In My Opinion, they are both probably offer equal nutritional. We as purchasers of live or frozen rats or mice usually have no idea what food they were raised on, how they were euthanized, etc., and therefore have no idea what's under that fur coat. I think you have to look at what your buying and judge as best you can on appearance and behavior of the rat or mouse. (In the case of frozen, behavior is usually consistent, LOL). Initially, I don't think it matters which you serve up. When the snake gets larger, I would go for rats for the reasons mentioned above.

When making the choice between say a jumbo mouse and a very young rat (both items appx the same size) the calcium argument IS valid since an adult of ANY endoskeletal species WILL have more signifcant calcium levels than a similarly sized juvenile. I.E. bitty jr rat vs bigass adult mouse - mouse will have more calcium.

I agree that bottom line appropriate size is key factor.

OK, now this should answer any questions about what to feed! I personally feed rats. I have many snakes (23) and it is just not cost efficient to feed each one 5 or 6 mice every 3 days or even every week. I feed one F/T rat a week, sometimes I skip a week if they are in shed, or didn't eat the previous meal.

[lindsey_marshall00]

[deborahbroadus]

[lindsey_marshall00]

That would have started a very strange debate. I hope i knew what you were talking about because if you really ment snakes, I was going to fly to MD and have your head examined.

[deborahbroadus]

[Radical]

Very good thread.

[snake-charmer]

So it's saying once a snake can switch from a full size mouse one should switch to a juvenille rat...Same size so the snake can get used to the switch. But then the adult mouse has more Calcium since it's mature.

Giving a suppliment is it essentual?