| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JanieW |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 14:45:23
Here I go again lol a contoversial post..but I do believe it valid but I hope this opens to a debate where we all learn something
Rats vs Mice isn't a new topic but it has to be said that neither is a natural source of food for Royal Pythons..very few snakes in fact..maybe the British Adder and Grass snake.
In the wild snakes are opportunists and will eat anything that they can catch and swallow, so from that I question the idea that a snake will only accept one type of rodent..mice is the most common.
I have enquired from stores that sell both froxen mice and rats, my vet who is a snake specialist and varous breeders and stores that specialise in snakes. The findings surprised me..they all said that its nonsense that a snake will become addicted to mice and refuse rats. They said that just because a snake refuses first attempt means nothing. They all say that its best to wait until a snake is eating jumbo mice before moving to weaner rats.
Of course most Royals, if not all will require rats, due to their size and nutrients required per feed. For that reason alone, rats are necessary at some point, but 100% of those that I called reported that adult mice have the greater percentage of calcium and protein in comparison to infant rats.
So from my findings I have decided to wait until both Fea and Slinky are eating Jumbos..but that is my personal decision. I respect other opinions so please contribute and share with me 'us' your views |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 19:50:23
I believe its more a case of been fed one thing all its life and just not recognising the new item as food. |
| n/a |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 15:50:32
When I got Surahi a year ago, she was five and seemed to have had numerous homes; her current owners (who were experienced) made it clear that she would only take mice. Then the big fast came up; when she was eating regularly again I tried her on rats - and after a couple of refusals she took one.
Shahi came to me as a cf hatchling from a shop, feeding (or rather not feeding) on small mice. I was so happy to finally get him feeding that I put off attempting to wean him on to rats until after his first fast, but again, after a couple of refusals, he got the idea.
Shiva was on mice when I got him but for his first meal,I offered a rat - and he took it like a man!
Saada was eating rats when I got her.
So, no, I haven't seen much evidence of mouse addiction among my lot, I must say. There is someone on here though, whose royal really does refuse to eat rats, so I believe the addiction can occur.
The nutrition thing is a very valid point - but for some reason royals do seem to gain weight and grow faster on rats.
Apart from Saada, who has always been a tiddler, bless her. (Or him - the last time I handled her the little bugger dug her spurs into my arm in a very blokeish way ...hmm...could that be why she's undersized for a girl??? ) |
| markmifsud |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 14:51:37
I feed mine mainly rats, but every now and then I feed them mice to rest their digestion. |
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