No, actually the rabbit will have a higher nutritional value and MUCH lower fat. Younger rodents are always the best choice, because they are leaner with muscle that has not atrophied with age. And the "jumbo" rodents are almost always fat. The exception is with breeding females that (in theory) can benefit from the higher calcium levels found in more mature rodents (used for shelling eggs). This is why Rico Walder feeds his GTPs mice exclusively. But, from what I know of the anatomy of rats and rabbits, a 1 pound rabbit has a thicker skeletal structure than a 1 pound rat (especially in the much longer rear legs). I hope this helps.      -p-

Hm, cool.  Thank you for your input :)  It's somewhat different from what I have been told in the past.  I really appreciate how specific you were

I have considered the amount of fat in the prey, and I do give my adult female Boas and Pythons that will be breeding a large rat (200 - 250 gram range), but my males get fed mediums (approx. 150 grams)... nothing in my collection has ever been fed larger than a large rat, and I feed them every 2-3 weeks. Personally, I don't feel it's necessary to go with a bigger prey item. 

If you want to compare nutritional values, I believe Rodent Pro has a comparison chart on their website. 

I should clarify... that's in regards to the species I keep... a Mainland Retic, for example, of course would need larger prey.

Ok, thank you Sonja :)  I'll check that out if Moe hasn't already. 

i feed most of mine mediums i  found they move around there cage better .than large rats they just lay there i mix it up i feed them rabbits rats and  small chicks   i have found that not all snakes large perferd larger prey  but i baby mine as fatty  some say a fat snake at breeding time is not good there are worng i keep mine fat and happy plus it depends were they are keep   i keep all mine in my  room

i ment the snakes move not      the rats i feed them              frozen

I was wondering the same thing. Right now I am feeding jumbo rats to my female boa and wasn't sure if this was enough.

I agree with DFW.   I believe young rabbits more closely match (as far as fat and protein content) what most snakes eat in the wild.   I don't even bother with rats, I just sprinkle calcium supplement on the rabbit pinks to make up for the low calcium content.   Of course, there are other considerations (ie, like cost), but just thought I'd throw my 2 cents on the table.

I have also researched this topic: rats vs guinea pigs vs rabbits. From what I found rats and guinea pigs over the size XL have higher fat content. If a keeper needs to feed prey larger than XL than instead of feeding XXL or XXXL large rats and guinea go with a rabbit, which are naturally leaner, of comparable size. When I was researching for myself, I contacted Rodent Pro to get there informed opinion. I suggest you do the same.

I know it's a bit of topic, but I hope everyone here knows to disregard the above statement about fat snakes. Obesity is NOT healthy for any herp, and fat snakes make terrible breeders. Sometimes you can get away with slightly fat females, but they are prone to complications. But with males, you might as well give them a vasectomy. Put quite simply: Excess fat = excess estrogen. Excess estrogen = decreased testosterone. Decreased testosterone = poor breeding performance (in males, of course).      -p-  

I can not speak on all snakes, however I raise and breed Carpet Pythons and I have gotten the same story from two reliable sources (Nick Mutton and Shawn Christian).  That you should always try and feed the most mature rodent you snake can handle.  For example it is better to feed a large mouse then two or thre rat pinks.  As (generally speaking) most Carpets will never need more then an XL or Jumbo Rat feeding a smaller rabbit is not as beneficial as the rabbit.  Yes rabbits are leaner but at the younger age of the rabbit the fat content is higher as I do not want to gorge my snakes either.  Just my two cents and great topic and conversation on this board...  Happy Herping!!

Hey I just met you. And this is crazy. But award some points. Close this question, maybe?

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

Recommended Action: Points awarded

An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion.

Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.