Species
Rat
Size grade
Small adult
Pack size
Sold individually
Delivery
Pickup only
Rats Small adult
A full-size rat for sub-adult and adult snakes. Frozen small adult rats are humanely pre-killed, fully grown but not the largest grade, then snap-frozen whole. They suit sub-adult to smaller adult pythons and monitors that have outgrown weaners, and are sold individually.
Key features
- Humanely pre-killed and snap-frozen – no live feeding, no injury risk to your reptile, no welfare concerns from confining live prey.
- Small adult grade – a fully grown rat sized below medium, large and XL jumbo grades.
- Predictable sizing – a reliable step for snakes that have outgrown weaner rats.
- Sold individually – buy exactly what a feed needs.
Which rat size do I need?
Match the rat to the thickest part of your snake's body, not its length. A rat noticeably wider than your snake's girth risks regurgitation; a rat noticeably narrower wastes a feed. If in doubt, size down.
| Size | Typical weight | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Pinkies | Approx. 5–10 g, unfurred | Hatchling snakes and very small juvenile pythons |
| Weaners | Approx. 30–70 g, furred | Growing juvenile pythons and similarly sized snakes |
| Small adult | Approx. 120–180 g | Sub-adult to smaller adult pythons and monitors |
| XL Jumbo | Approx. 250 g and up | Large adult pythons and large monitors |
These are typical weight bands used across the Australian frozen-rodent trade. Rats are natural animals and individual weight varies within each grade.
Ingredients and guaranteed analysis
Ingredients: whole rat (100%). No additives, preservatives, colours or fillers.
A formal guaranteed analysis – crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, moisture, ash – is not published for whole-prey feeders, since they are not a manufactured food with a nutrition panel. If your reptile needs a supplemented diet, dust or gut-load as your vet or herpetological society recommends.
Thawing and storage
- Store frozen at or below −18 °C until needed.
- Thaw in the fridge, allowing extra time for the larger size – often the better part of a day – or in a sealed bag submerged in cool water, changing the water periodically. Never microwave.
- Warm before offering – a few minutes in warm, not hot, water after fridge-thawing often improves feeding response for larger prey.
- Never refreeze a thawed rat.
- Offer with tongs, not fingers, to avoid a feeding-response bite.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for sub-adult to smaller adult pythons and monitors that have outgrown weaner rats. Not suitable for juveniles still on weaner-sized prey, and not intended as a sole diet for species with different nutritional needs.
Delivery and cold chain
This is a frozen product.
Frozen food is pick up only from our North Lakes store, because a pack that thaws on the way cannot be refrozen.
Warranty and delivery
As a perishable frozen item, this product is excluded from change-of-mind returns once purchased, consistent with our standard returns policy. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law for goods that are not of acceptable quality on arrival are unaffected.
Goes well with
Feeding tongs make offering pre-killed prey easier and safer for both keeper and reptile – see our Zoo Med Stainless Steel Feeding Tongs.
Common questions
How is "small adult" different from "medium" or "large"?
Small adult sits below medium, large and XL jumbo in our size range – a fully grown rat rather than a young one, but not the biggest available. Check the weight table above against your snake's girth.
How long does thawing a small adult rat take?
Longer than a pinkie or weaner because of the larger mass – plan on a full day in the fridge, or a few hours in cool water with the water changed partway through.
Can I refreeze a rat I thawed but didn't use?
No. Once thawed, use it or discard it. Refreezing raises the risk of bacterial spoilage.
My monitor won't take a whole rat – what now?
Some monitors prefer prey warmed further or offered by scenting first. Persistent refusal over several attempts, or any weight loss, is worth a vet check.