Species
Rat
Size grade
Weaner
Pack size
Sold individually
Delivery
Pickup only
Rats Weaners
A pre-killed rat sized for a growing python's next feed. Frozen weaner rats are humanely pre-killed, furred young rats around the age they'd naturally leave the nest, then snap-frozen whole. They suit snakes that have outgrown pinkies but aren't yet ready for a full-size adult rat, and are sold individually.
Key features
- Humanely pre-killed and snap-frozen – no live feeding, and none of the injury risk or welfare concerns that come with it.
- Weaner grade – furred, mid-size rats that bridge the gap between pinkies and small adult rats.
- Consistent sizing – useful for keepers stepping a growing snake up through prey sizes gradually.
- 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. Step prey size up gradually as your snake grows, rather than jumping a size.
| 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. Individual rats vary batch to batch.
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 overnight, or in a sealed bag submerged in cool water for around 2 hours given the larger size. Never microwave.
- Warm before offering – a few minutes in warm, not hot, water after fridge-thawing often improves feeding response.
- Never refreeze a thawed rat.
- Offer with tongs, not fingers, to avoid a feeding-response bite.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for growing juvenile snakes stepping up from pinkies. Not suitable for hatchlings still needing pinkie-sized prey, and not intended as a sole diet for species with different nutritional needs – check what your particular reptile is meant to eat.
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
When do I step up from pinkies to weaners?
When a pinkie no longer matches your snake's girth – generally once a hatchling has had several feeds and shown steady growth. Size to the snake, not to a fixed age or feed count.
How often should a juvenile snake be fed weaners?
Feeding frequency depends on species, age and growth rate; many juvenile pythons feed roughly weekly to fortnightly. Check species-specific care advice for your snake.
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 snake refuses weaners after happily taking pinkies – why?
A sudden size jump is the most common cause. Try warming the rat further, offering in a quieter spot, or stepping back to a slightly smaller size before trying again in a few days.