Mice VS. Other rodent pinkies

[SerpentGirl]

I got to wondering about this, and my question is...

Is there any reason why rodent eating snakes couldn't eat hamster or gerbil pinkies instead of mice pinkies all of the time? What really is the difference between them? They are all small rodents, that eat the same kind of feed, and live in the same kind of bedding, and the pinkies pretty much look the same.

What do you think?

[Stefan-A]

No reason, really.

I know some people prefer to use gerbils, because they're less smelly to raise. Some snakes that get gerbils, won't accept mice again, so that's something to look out for.

Hamsters on the other hand are relatively fatty food, or so I've been told.

The main difference becomes clear if you raise them. Their litters are small and far apart, at least compared to mice.

[zooplan]

I agree that there are only differences in the productivity of breeding and maybe food value of adult specimens.

[adamanteus]

I think it's a question of price and availablity. Mouse pinkies are relatively cheap and easily obtainable. But I would think any suitably sized rodent would be acceptable to the snake.

[Loren]

I agree, James. Mice and rats breed the fastest and easiest, with large litters, so the cost is lower. I also think that many people would have a harder time feeding a hamster or gerbil, since they are probably seen as more of a "pet". Yes, I know Lori, mice are pets too.

Other than that, I'm sure they could be used. I know one of my buddies has a snake that will only eat Russian Dwarf hamsters.

It also helps that they have a tail- much easier to grab without getting bit.

[Lori P]

No worries Loren. I am amazed and a little ashamed of myself, but I don't have the emotional trauma I once did. I've even been buying hoppers by the dozen and feeding them to Desdemona (two a week) until they grow too big for her, then feeding the leftovers to Fluffy and Squiggles (balls). Who'd of thunk it??? I sure wouldn't have!!!!!

[Loren]

Your Kingsnake is on hoppers already? Wow, she must really be growing.
But I guess at 2 meals a week, she should be.

I'm working on a non-feeding taiwan beauty hatchling right now- wwas given to me. Assist-fed(a nicer version of force-feeding) it twice so far, so at least its getting food.

[Living Earth Zoological]

taiwan beauty hatchling

Excellent choice of Colubrid!

[enigma200316]

I think the only diff. would be colorie count and fat content......hahaha

[Lori P]

Your Kingsnake is on hoppers already? Wow, she must really be growing.
But I guess at 2 meals a week, she should be.

I'm working on a non-feeding taiwan beauty hatchling right now- wwas given to me. Assist-fed(a nicer version of force-feeding) it twice so far, so at least its getting food.

Yeah, she moved herself to hoppers-- she started ignoring pinkies, then ignoring fuzzies, so I bought a hopper one day and omg, she nailed it. So she tells me when it's time to move on... she's got such a huge, huge appetite considering how stubborn she was!! And she either wants two hoppers at once, or one every 4 days or so. Again, I leave it up to her.

I'd like to see the Taiwan beauty!!!