"Naval Rat" ? :S

whoaxmary · 05-02-11, 01:03 AM

So, today was supposed to be feeding day for my snakes. . . But when I went to get my bag of rats, ratpups, and hoppers outta the freezer I couldn't find the bag anywhere.... It's a big deep freeze that we keep pretty stocked (my parents would snap if I kept them in the fridge freezer) so I figured they must of just gotten shoved down near the bottom... While looking my foot hit something soft... I looked down and saw a bag of fries, something else, and my bag of rats! Some one went into the freezer pulled a bunch of stuff out and forgot to put it back! D: So, there goes a months worth of food for three snakes. x.x
I phoned my boyfriend and asked if he could grab me some before coming home from visiting his parents, and he ended up picking rats up from his sister for me... They're called "naval rats" I think, and I can't seem to find anything online about them. Just curious if anyone else uses these as feeders? I'm not planning on keeping the snakes on them, just 'till I have time to go get their normal meals.
In all honestly, I guess I'm mostly worried my ball python will get used to the different food and not want to go back onto her rat pups.
Opinions?

NennaMeerkat · 05-02-11, 01:06 AM

Can I see a pic of them? I have never heard of the breed before and you may be misinformed on what they were called.

whoaxmary · 05-02-11, 01:06 AM

Just a side note- my parents have been on me for the past week saying I haven't been cleaning my kitty litters or that my puppy must of been pooping somewhere because the room we have the deep freeze in (I also keep my litter boxes back there) has STUNK.
I tried telling them I had been cleaning up after my pets as always, and maybe the cats had killed a mouse and left it somewhere... I was almost right. x.x

whoaxmary · 05-02-11, 01:07 AM

Don't have them yet, boyfriend will be home tommorow and I will post a picture before feeding them

NennaMeerkat · 05-02-11, 01:09 AM

Okay as soon as you can post a picture I will be able to help you out. Might be some sort of slang that not everyone is familiar with.

whoaxmary · 05-02-11, 01:11 AM

Maybe - that's what I was wondering when I couldn't find anything online.
I'll make sure to post a picture as soon as he gets home with them tommorow, didn't even think of that or I would of just waited until tommorow to start this thread. ;p

NennaMeerkat · 05-02-11, 01:17 AM

Ha ha that is okay! I will try to be on tomorrow to see the pictures so you can hopefully feed your snakes as soon as possible.

Have you considered buying a small personal freezer for your frozen food items for your snakes? I think they make mini-freezers.

whoaxmary · 05-02-11, 01:22 AM

Yes I have~ I'm trying to decide on if I should get one of those, or just start breeding. I have found a few people who have offered me their help, but I would have to wait until I move out in September, because again, the parents have their limits on what they can handle, not to mention I don't want to have to worry about moving a colony of rats four hours away, it will be hard enough to move the reptiles and other pets themselves... So maybe I will just go for the mini freezer... Must say I was not to happy to find like 50$ worth of rotting rats on the floor. x.x It was even annoying when my parents didn't seem to think it was any sort of inconvience. x.x "Bubbha always leaves birds and mice on the outside steps in the morning...couldn't you just feed those, wouldn't they be freash enough?" Oooooh, dad. <3

mistersprinkles · 05-02-11, 03:29 AM

Natal rats. Young rats

. Naval rats would be rats that are deployed on tiny remote control boats to secure the interests of the puddle near the hole near the trash can on the corner.

.

TeaNinja · 05-02-11, 03:31 AM

i was surprised how easy breeding rats is. the hardest part for me is having to kill them for freezing :x
i spend a decent amount of money for rat food, but i've been slowly starting to stockpile my own f/t rats. so i'm sure it will even out or be more cost productive then buying rats. especially since a big rat that nigma eats is over 10$, and the one's the BP eats are probably like $5. i'm sure that would add up to more then i pay for rat food.
i bet i pay like 20$ a month for rat food.

NennaMeerkat · 05-02-11, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeaNinja

i was surprised how easy breeding rats is. the hardest part for me is having to kill them for freezing :x
i spend a decent amount of money for rat food, but i've been slowly starting to stockpile my own f/t rats. so i'm sure it will even out or be more cost productive then buying rats. especially since a big rat that nigma eats is over 10$, and the one's the BP eats are probably like $5. i'm sure that would add up to more then i pay for rat food.
i bet i pay like 20$ a month for rat food.

Hey Tea might I help you with a cheaper option than the rat food...which is much more expensive? You only need 3 things and all 3 things you can buy in bulk and save money.

1. Kitten food
~ You can buy the cheapest brand of kitten food you can find in a 20-40 lb bag. It has everything a rat really needs to be healthy in it.

2. Wild Bird Seed
~ Buy any wild bird see that has a majority of sunflower seeds and other whole seeds in it. Try and stay away from the ones that have bits of corn in it, but a little of the corn compared to the whole seed is okay.

3. Whole Grain Pasta
~ You can pick up large boxes of whole grain pasta from any grocery store. Find the largest cheapest box you can find. Feed it to the rats as is straight from the box.

sickvenom · 05-02-11, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Hey Tea might I help you with a cheaper option than the rat food...which is much more expensive? You only need 3 things and all 3 things you can buy in bulk and save money.

1. Kitten food
~ You can buy the cheapest brand of kitten food you can find in a 20-40 lb bag. It has everything a rat really needs to be healthy in it.

2. Wild Bird Seed
~ Buy any wild bird see that has a majority of sunflower seeds and other whole seeds in it. Try and stay away from the ones that have bits of corn in it, but a little of the corn compared to the whole seed is okay.

3. Whole Grain Pasta
~ You can pick up large boxes of whole grain pasta from any grocery store. Find the largest cheapest box you can find. Feed it to the rats as is straight from the box.

i personally would never feed feeders this stuff. a feeder is only as good as its diet. feeder rodents need a specialized diet.

NennaMeerkat · 05-02-11, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickvenom

i personally would never feed feeders this stuff. a feeder is only as good as its diet. feeder rodents need a specialized diet.

This is the diet I have gotten from people who own and breed rats for pets. Of course there is a little more to it such as fresh veggies and a bit of fruit/nuts. However that is the backbone of what many people, well known breeders, feed their rats.

Pet Rat Information Sheet - all you need for happy healthy pet rats
Fact Sheet - Ratz Food
Pet Rats Information, Care and Training Resource | FancyPetRats.com
Feeder Rat Care - Reptile Forums | Herp Center

And I will make one change to my above original statement that I did not before say. Kitten food ONLY for young rats then switch to dog food.

I am curious though as to what you feed your own rats?

Jay · 05-02-11, 10:44 AM

Simple rats for pets vs rats for food should be different.

NennaMeerkat · 05-02-11, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay0133

Simple rats for pets vs rats for food should be different.

Now I am curious as to what the difference should be/is Every rat has the same nutritional needs no matter what their "fate" is. Sure 24-48 hours before they are frozen/fed you feed them something different but for day to day living they have their nutritional needs right?