{"product_id":"rats-hoppers","title":"Rats Hoppers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA whole frozen rat sized for growing juvenile snakes.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a frozen Hopper rat, roughly 20–30 g — a whole-prey feeder for juvenile snakes and larger lizards that have outgrown fuzzy rats but aren't yet ready for a weaner. Frozen fresh and never previously thawed, sold individually, and needs full thawing before feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhole prey, not processed\u003c\/strong\u003e — a complete, balanced meal with fur, bone and organs intact, exactly as an obligate carnivore is built to eat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHopper size grade\u003c\/strong\u003e — roughly 20–30 g, the step between fuzzy and weaner rats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrozen fresh, not freeze-dried\u003c\/strong\u003e — retains natural moisture and nutrition that freeze-dried prey loses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConsistent sizing within the grade\u003c\/strong\u003e — makes it easier to track how much your animal is eating over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold individually\u003c\/strong\u003e — buy exactly the number you need for your feeding schedule.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAA2321\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBarcode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e202161808\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnimal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRat (Rattus norvegicus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize grade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHopper, approx. 20–30 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrozen whole prey, sold individually\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReptiles and birds of prey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich size do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRat feeders are graded by weight, not age alone, and exact weight bands vary between suppliers — treat the figures below as a guide, not a guarantee. As a general rule, choose a rat close to the width of the thickest part of your snake's body; if you're unsure, size down rather than up to avoid a difficult feed or regurgitation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize grade\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest suited to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePinkie\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–9 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHatchling to small juvenile snakes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFuzzy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYoung juvenile snakes stepping up from pinkie mice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHopper (this product)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowing juvenile snakes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeaner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–70 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSub-adult snakes and larger juveniles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall \/ Medium Adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70–250 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdult colubrids, smaller pythons and boas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge Adult \/ Jumbo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250–475 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger adult pythons and boas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtra Large Adult \/ Jumbo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e475 g and up\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large pythons, boas and monitors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe stock the full ladder from Pinkie through Extra Large Jumbo, plus Weaner, Small, Medium and Large Adult grades and Jumbo single and twin packs — search \"Rats\" in store to see the full range.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e100% whole rat (Rattus norvegicus), frozen. No additives, colours, preservatives or fillers — this is an intact animal, not a formulated food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA guaranteed analysis (crude protein, fat, fibre, moisture, ash) is not published for whole-prey items the way it is for manufactured pellets or flakes, because there is no manufacturer formulation to declare. Whole prey supplies muscle, organ, bone and fur in natural proportions, which is the basis of a whole-prey feeding diet for carnivorous reptiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e juvenile snakes and larger lizards that have outgrown fuzzy rats and are ready to step up in feed size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e hatchlings, for whom a hopper rat is too large — use a pinkie or fuzzy rat instead; also too small as a sole feed for sub-adult or adult snakes, which need weaner rats or larger.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to thaw and store\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep frozen until you're ready to feed. Thaw in a sealed bag in the fridge, or in room-temperature water changed every 10–15 minutes, until soft all the way through — never in a microwave, which cooks prey unevenly. Warm the thawed rat in warm water for a few minutes before offering it, as many reptiles respond better to a warm feed. Never refreeze a thawed rat — feed it the same day or discard it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHandling and hygiene\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreat frozen prey like raw meat: thaw it separately from human food, wash your hands and any tongs or containers after handling, and disinfect the thawing area. Discard any uneaten thawed prey rather than offering it to another animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-plastic-feeding-tongs\"\u003eZoo Med Plastic Feeding Tongs\u003c\/a\u003e — more hygienic than fingers when offering thawed prey, and lets you add a little movement to trigger a feeding response.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a frozen product and ships and is stored frozen. There's no manufacturer warranty on a food item as such — the consumer guarantee under Australian Consumer Law that the product is of acceptable quality and matches its description still applies. Transfer it to your own freezer as soon as it arrives. If you'd rather collect it yourself, our North Lakes store offers pickup — call 07 3888 5052 or email sales@nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au to arrange delivery timing or check same-day pickup availability.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow many hopper rats come in a pack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne rat per pack, sold individually so you can buy exactly the number of feeds you need.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhat size reptile is a hopper rat for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuvenile snakes and larger lizards that have outgrown fuzzy rats — check the width of your reptile against the size table above.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I refreeze a thawed hopper rat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Once it's thawed, feed it the same day or discard it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow do I know if I need a hopper or a weaner rat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompare the rat to the thickest part of your reptile — if a hopper looks noticeably narrower than that point, it's time to move up to weaner.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Frozen Food","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242284597539,"sku":"AA2321","price":28.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rats-hoppers","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}