Are multimammates really that good?

[Truffs1178]

I was at the pet store and Darren who works there told me they had some new mice in called multimammate mice and he said they're more nutritious than regular mice. He also said they're still not good for my frog as a regular food item and he reminded me not to give him them more than once a month or the frog would become overweight and unhealthy. So long story short are they more nutritious than regulars?

[Mentat]

Natal rats Mastomys natalensis are a species of rodent from Africa being bred in US & Europe as pets (faster and more aggressive than common mice) or feeders. Have not found any information that states they are more nutritious than a regular same sized, same care mice. Maybe you might want to ask Darren for some reference to his statement. IMO, if they cost more than regular mice... there is your probable answer .

[Truffs1178]

I'll ask him next time. He knows a lot about this kind of stuff and has a lot of pets including a Tegu which is awesome. He also gives me free stuff like food a lot.


Have you noticed that a lot of people on here stereotype pet store workers as scammers and not knowing anything about exotics when that isn't always the case?

[mattfish]

most petstore workers are making minimum wage and think they know everything.

[Mentat]

...Have you noticed that a lot of people on here stereotype pet store workers as scammers and not knowing anything about exotics when that isn't always the case?

I don't think they are scammers; but they are salesmen and their job is to sell ! Some do keep and know about exotics, mostly reptiles; but very few know frogs. I'm looking forward to any nutritional studies or analysis that compare regular mice, rats, and Natal rats! Hopefully Darren can point us in the right direction .

[Truffs1178]

but they are salesmen and their job is to sell

Im friends with this guy and like I said he gives me free stuff and tells me not to buy too many mice because they are bad for my frogs so I don't think all salesmen are like that. He knows a lot about animals.

[Truffs1178]

And I do realise his job is to sell but they are good people who work there.

[Pheathers]

I think these are the same as "African soft furred rats". They're popular with snake keepers because sometimes a non eating snake will eat these (especially ball pythons). And they are more aggressive, not something you want to live feed to a frog (unless it's a pinky/hopper). I know someone who use to raise them for snakes. Nutrition wise, they seem to be the same as other rodents.

[Truffs1178]

I just want to see some evidence that they are different nutritionally.

[BerserkApe]

White faces and big adorable puppy eyes?

[Truffs1178]

Yup that's them.

[BerserkApe]

Yup that's them.

Almost considered starting a colony. Then I considered how much my frogs and skink would eat. It's still cheaper to buy a feeder once a month.