I work at a nature center and we have adult black ratsnakes (probably anywhere from 5-6 feet) all roughly 850-900 grams. I’m trying to figure out an appropriate feeder size. They are currently in small mice (multiple per feeding) but I’d rather go the bigger meal less frequently route. I ordered xl mice and rat pups both equalling 30-45 grams each. Is this suitable? If I feed two of the rat pups or two of the xl mice per feeding (every 10-14 days)
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You can probably do one of the new feeder sizes each week if you wanted to avoid doing the two at each meal.
General rule is to go with a feeder that is slightly larger than the snake is around the widest point.
I haven’t really worked with adult colubrids in a while so I’ll tag in a few of the ones I know have experience with them
@noodlehaus @deanaii @caryl
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I’d be feeding an 850-900g black rat a jumbo/XL, 35-50g, every 28 days. You can substitute two smaller prey items that weigh the same. You just want to watch their body shape and make sure they stay slender but not skinny. 
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Okay, the xl mice and weaned rats that I ordered are about 30-45g a piece, so you think I should only feed one per feeding? So roughly ~5% of their body weight? (The snakes fighting roughly 850-900 g)
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Weighing not fighting haha
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Yeah, that sounds about right. My biggest adult corns are around 700g, and they get 5-7% meals every 28 days. Mostly singles, but if I’m out of jumbos, I’ll give them two 20g large mice.
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I dunno… Some rats can be pretty spicy lol
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I’m with Dean. One larger prey item about 5-7% of the snakes’ weight is great. Keep an eye on the individuals’ weight. Some might need more or less frequent feedings depending upon their own metabolism. If they’re a healthy weight now, I’d start at a 21 day interval. You can go ahead and feed the smaller items in multiples until they’re gone, btw.
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