Some snake questions! - Page 8

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Thanks everyone! After my English class today I'm going to stop by Petco and pick up some aspen shavings.
I'm curious, once my little King Tucker is an adult, what will it cost me each month to feed him? Is ordering online in bulk cheaper than buying from say, Petsmart?

If you can get quality feeders at a reptile show or expo that's probably the least expensive way to buy them since you save on the shipping costs. I usually order my feeders in bulk online. I order from Big Cheese. Even with the current $29 flat rate shipping cost it's much cheaper than buying from Petsmart. As far as the monthly cost of feeding one snake, it's not much at all. If you feed 1-2 prey items every 7 days for a small snake it's probably $5 if that.

eminart · 10-01-14, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

what will it cost me each month to feed him? Is ordering online in bulk cheaper than buying from say, Petsmart?

It will cost you 3-4 times however much you pay for a large mouse.

I'd try to find a local store or breeder and avoid petco unless that's all you can find. They're usually cheaper and you'll be giving money to a better business (most of the time). Ordering online isn't worth it unless you're buying very large quantities.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:32 PM

I think buying in bulk is the way to go. For example, if you bought (50) mice fuzzys from Big Cheese it would cost you $50. To buy those same (50) fuzzys at Petsmart you'd have to purchase (8) boxes of (6) @ $13 per box which is $104. That's a considerable saving IMO.

eminart · 10-01-14, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I think buying in bulk is the way to go. For example, if you bought (50) mice fuzzys from Big Cheese it would cost you $50. To buy those same (50) fuzzys at Petsmart you'd have to purchase (8) boxes of (6) @ $13 per box which is $104. That's a considerable saving IMO.

If petco is your only option, then yes, probably. But, I can buy 50 fuzzies locally for something like $30-40.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 01:42 PM

Thanks!! I live in a very small town of 10,000 people so I don't think there's 1. any reptile shows/events, or 2. local mice breeders. It seems buying online is my only option. But I can get 50 fuzzies for $50 including shipping from Big Cheese?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

If petco is your only option, then yes, probably. But, I can buy 50 fuzzies locally for something like $30-40.

No doubt. Buying from a local supplier or expo is the best route if you have that option. I haven't found a trusted supplier in my area so I have to order online.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Thanks!! I live in a very small town of 10,000 people so I don't think there's 1. any reptile shows/events, or 2. local mice breeders. It seems buying online is my only option. But I can get 50 fuzzies for $50 including shipping from Big Cheese?

The fuzzys are $20 and the shipping is $29.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

The fuzzys are $20 and the shipping is $29.

Seems like a good deal to me! How many fuzzies will my snake most likely eat before he upgrades to the next size?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:59 PM

They all grow at different rates. On average my younger snakes would move up prey sizes about every 2 months.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

They all grow at different rates. On average my younger snakes would move up prey sizes about every 2 months.

Okay, so he would most likely only eat 10 or so of the 50 fuzziest?

drumcrush · 10-01-14, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

They all grow at different rates. On average my younger snakes would move up prey sizes about every 2 months.

I agree. And as they get older, they start to slow down.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 02:08 PM

It seems a bit wasteful to buy 50 fuzzies if he's only going to eat a small portion of them, however I guess I could just sell the extras...I found a breeder in Sacramento, but how do I know if it's a good breeder or not? My mom goes to Sac every week so she could pick them up for me.
Frozen or Live Feeder Mice

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 02:59 PM

You wouldn't waste the remaining fuzzies. You'd still feed him the rest of those but you might have to feed him 2-3 at a time as he gets larger. For example my bull snake is ready for small rats now but since I have (30) rat weanlings to finish off she still gets 2-3 rat weaners until those are gone. Then I'll move her up to smalls. I generally feed my snakes 10-15% of their body weight per feeding. If you found a local source you can probably buy in smaller quantities and avoid having so many undersized feeders left over when you do increase your prey size.

Obsidian_Dragon · 10-01-14, 03:27 PM

I currently buy from the local PetSmart, since I've been wrangling over the same questions you have. One of the problems with the Arctic Mice is you can get boxes of feeders that are "pinkies" or "fuzzies" but whoa, an entire box is small fuzzies or hey, all of these are HUGE, etc.

I have a box of "fuzzies" that are barely over pinkie size I'm working with right now. Pffffft.

I think that by the time I work through these mice (I had a coupon so...many boxes were had) I'll suck it up and order online. I haven't had any problem feeding my king multiple smaller prey items yet when I had to, so with luck you won't have that issues, either.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 05:20 PM

Ahh I didn't think of that! Good idea. I think after this box of Artic Mice pinkies are done, I think I'll buy one more(or maybe not, I'll have to have your guys' help judging if he's ready to move up to fuzzies by then) and then move up to fuzzies. He should DEFINITELY be ready after 2 boxes, if not after this one. Then I will order online or from a breeder.
I am wondering, how do I tell if a "local" breeder is good or not? I put local in quotes because the breeder I'm looking at is 3 hours away, but it's where my mom stays for work 3 days out of the week. I could have her pick some up for me.
Here's the breeder I'm looking at:
Frozen or Live Feeder Mice
Aquarium Depot is a nice fish store if I remember right, it seemed their fish were well taken care of...BUT when I was frequently going there it was when I was new to fishkeeping, so I could be mistaken. I assume Reptile Depot is run by the same people since it's inside Aquarium Depot. How do I know if they have quality feeder mice? I won't risk my snake's health or well-being just to save a few bucks. He needs good mice.