Mice to rats

[Linus]

Hi all,

my 9 mth old diamond is currently eating adult mice but I think he needs something bigger now. So which level of rat do I go to? He's about 90cm long.

Thanks.

I'll add a picture to give you idea of his size.

[dobermanmick]

Boy i think he could down a rat about 5-6 weeks old I think its weener size ?Its amazing the size of food they can get down

JMO whats everyone else think

[moosenoose]

I'm not sure of the age of the rats I feed mine but the head size on your diamond looks similar. I've been upping the size along the way, and as far as rats go, I'm blown away at what she can take - Not that I'm being ridiculous or anything with her! :wink:

It appears to me that if you give the snake anything that may seem too big to you, they ultimately just constrict the prey item, dislocating (maybe even breaking bones) to turn that item into a more handleable state! That's also my own opinion and from what I've observed. Don't go ridiculous with upping the size though If I feed mine something quite large I back off the rate of feeding to suit the size rat I've fed her. If I can only get smallish food items due to lack of size available I tend to increase the rate slightly until I can get bigger stuff again. Anyway, Like I said, this is what I do and it seems to work for me

[instar]

It looks bigger than mine from the head size, mine takes 50/60g weiner rats easy, slightly bigger than adult mice, so your pyth should take same no problem. Remember, they are built to stretch a bit. Rats are supposed to be better nutrition. cheers. p.s. very nice little snake.

[Linus]

Ok thanks guys.

Moose what size do you normally feed yours then... weener, fuzzy??

I thought weener rats were around the same size as adult mice but not sure?

Sorry - I know we've been through this size thing before. I was thinking fuzzy rats might be the go?

[Linus]

Opps..posted before your reply there.. thanks Instar for clearing that up.

Cheers all. Weiner rats it is then.

[dobermanmick]

What we call fuzzies where i get them are just a little smaller then mice (adult)
I would go for something maybe 1/3rd bigger then an adult mouse and try that .

I know my little murray suprised me when he got a weiner rat down .

I call a weiner a rat that is self sufficient and doesent need mum anymore .

[moosenoose]

I just rang to find out the age of the rats mine is taking! I can tell by the look of them but didn't know what stage they were at Now I know! They are 5-6 week old weaner rats she has taken 8 week old ones which I suppose might be slightly past the weaner stage and they are reasonably large. I'll get a photo one day of her feeding to give an idea on food size. - not that it's helping you right now though

[Linus]

Thats great! Thanks Moose, Mick and Instar. Very helpful.

Someone should put the photos of each size in an album so this is settled once and for all. Would be useful to people new to the hobby (like myself).


Thanks again.

[dobermanmick]

Just wanted to tell you hes a very nice looking diamond ! Have you got any pics of him in the sun ?

[moosenoose]

Yeah, you're not wrong Linus! I think it'd be helpful to give people an idea of what age on species the snake is, and what size/age of prey items people are feeding them- I've been slack in the snake dinner photographing department I have no photos like that yet Good idea!

[dobermanmick]

I only have Photos of my big girl eating big adult rats and she just inhales them I want to try her on small cats !

[Linus]

Just wanted to tell you hes a very nice looking diamond ! Have you got any pics of him in the sun ?

Haha...I have so many photos of him it's ridiculous. I got a digital camera in May and have about 200 snake photos and 4 of my girlfriend. It's a bit of a sensitive issue with her It's a bit of a pain posting at work but will get some to post tomorrow. It's exciting seeing his colours change with each shed.

been slack in the snake dinner photographing department I have no photos like that yet

I have loads of them. So I might start my album with some of them.
I actually have them at every stage too...from pinky mice through to adult and the snake was 3 weeks old up til now.

[dobermanmick]

A sensitive issue aye

Thanks Linus I will be looking forward to seeing them !

[Linus]

Thanks for the compliments too instar and Mick. I feel like because he's not super high yellow he's the ugly duckling of diamonds on this site!

Here's a pic that shows his colour a bit.