Nutritional comparisson of pinky rat to fuzzy mouse

[Tigergenesis]

The 'hard evidence' I've heard is that the rat fed snakes in collections just grow larger on rats.

But growing larger is not always evidence of being healthier. American diets are proof of that.

Hard to be scientific, but with rats having more to them nutritionally (and mice apparently have a higher fat percentage) it makes sense

Again, this depends on what age you're looking at. Not all mice have more fat. As in one of my earlier examples, if looking at the same aged mouse and rat - the rat has more fat. So you just can't say anything in generalities with this.

Oh, I long for the day when Herpetology has advanced so far as to gives all the answers we desire!

Interesting discussion.

[HeatherK]

Originally posted by Tigergenesis
But growing larger is not always evidence of being healthier. American diets are proof of that.

Well if it's just fat making the animal appear larger - and that would be width then, not length - then no, it's no good. I liken it to overfeeding growing dogs, (although probably not as much a serious issue in limbless animals ) An overweight snake can get that way whether it's fed mice or rats.

I must have missed the rat having more fat part. I guess it would depend on their diet so it would vary between them, much like in humans. Another reason why it'd be beneficial to raise your own feeders.

I could just see me taking fat calipers to the feeders now

[Tigergenesis]

I could just see me taking fat calipers to the feeders now

LOL! I think you're right - the best thing is raise your own feeders that way you can have better control over their health.