Little feeders. Big personality.
Got a Picky Ball Python? Meet the African Soft-Furred Rat!
Explore our locally raised ASF feeder program in Wheatfield, Indiana—with current options, arranged pickup, and a little Cold Blooded Cuisine charm.
A new feeder is an option, not a guaranteed fix for a feeding refusal.
Meet Mastomys
Soft fur. A different family branch.
ASF is the feeder-world nickname for African soft-furred rodents in the genus Mastomys. They are not simply a small version of the domestic feeder rat, Rattus norvegicus.
These rodents have African origins, and ball pythons also come from Africa. That connection is interesting—not proof that every wild ball python eats ASFs. Field research records varied mammal and bird prey.
Learn more: NCBI Mastomys taxonomy · Ball-python field-diet research
Why keepers ask about ASFs
A few good reasons to learn more.
No miracle-meal promises. Just another option to discuss.
A different scent
A new prey scent can matter to an individual snake. Interest is possible—not promised.
A thoughtful option for picky eaters
Some keepers report ASF acceptance when other prey was refused. Results vary; check husbandry and health first.
Whole-prey feeding
Keep the focus on an appropriate whole-prey meal, rather than unsupported claims of extra nutrition.
Another feeder species
ASFs are an alternative to domestic mice and rats, not a universal replacement for them.
The size you can actually see
Our shop shows only configured catalog sizes and feeder types. Choose for your snake, not a marketing label.
Veterinary context: Merck Veterinary Manual on snake nutrition and prey scent.
Different, not automatically better
ASF or domestic rat?
| What to compare | African soft-furred rodents | Domestic feeder rats |
|---|---|---|
| Rodent group | Mastomys | Rattus norvegicus |
| Prey acceptance | A different scent; acceptance varies. | A familiar feeder for many captive snakes; acceptance still varies. |
| Size selection | Use actual listed size and weight. | Use actual listed size and weight. |
| Nutrition claim | No claim of universal superiority. | Appropriate whole prey is the goal. |
| Our availability | Only types and sizes shown in the ASF shop. | See current rat options. |
Our local breeding program
Our Little ASF Family Is Growing!
Our approach centers on clean water, quality feed, clean housing and bedding, routine observation, and responsible breeding management. We monitor animal health and development before considering feeders for the catalog.
Breeding takes care and time. A planned litter is not saleable inventory, and a forecast is not a guaranteed pickup date.
Approved public updates
We will share an approved program update here when one is ready. Check the shop for currently published options.
Ask about the next available optionsInterest only—not a paid preorder, reservation, or stock guarantee.
The actual catalog
Shop ASF feeders
Current sizes, feeder types, prices, and purchase options—all from our existing store.
Only current catalog options appear below. Prices and availability are checked again at checkout; an item in a cart is not a stock reservation.
Loading current ASF options…
A beginner-friendly pause before feeding
Good feeding starts before the feeder.
Check the whole picture
Stress, enclosure temperature, shedding, season, prey preference, or illness can affect appetite. Persistent refusal, weight loss, or signs of illness need a reptile veterinarian—not repeated feeder experiments.
Choose a suitable meal
Match prey to species, size, body condition, and a veterinary feeding plan. Ask before changing species if you need help with ongoing supply. No single meal size or feeding schedule suits every snake.
Prefer safer feeding
Frozen-thawed prey avoids the bite risk from live rodents. If live feeding is necessary, discuss it with your vet, supervise continuously, and never leave live prey unattended with a snake.
Handle feeders carefully
Live and frozen rodents can carry Salmonella; freezing does not remove that risk. Thaw according to supplier guidance in a dedicated, sealed container under refrigeration, separate from human food. Use dedicated feeding tools, clean surfaces, and wash hands. Never use a food-preparation microwave.
Guidance, not a veterinary diagnosis: VCA: feeding snakes · FDA: reptiles and feeder-rodent safety.
Wheatfield, Indiana · Northwest Indiana
A local feeder plan, without the guesswork.
We are home-based, not a walk-in storefront. Arrange pickup first and follow your private order-status instructions. We keep our residential address private.
Special orders may take up to 2 weeks, depending on supplier availability, size, and quantity. We will confirm availability and estimated timing before accepting your order.
The little questions count, too
ASF feeder FAQs
Are African soft-furred rats good for ball pythons?
An appropriately sized whole-prey ASF may be an option for a ball python. Individual acceptance, health, and feeding needs vary. Ask a reptile veterinarian about a suitable plan for your snake.
Are ASFs better than regular rats?
Not universally. ASFs (Mastomys) and domestic feeder rats (Rattus norvegicus) are different rodents. We do not claim superior nutrition; choose appropriate whole prey for your snake rather than treating one species as automatically better.
Why do some picky eaters show interest in ASFs?
A different prey scent may interest some snakes. Keepers sometimes report acceptance after other prey is refused, but an ASF is not a guaranteed solution and should not replace a husbandry or veterinary assessment.
Can a snake become selective about its prey?
Snakes can have individual prey preferences, and a switch is not always simple. Think through your ongoing feeder supply before changing species. Avoid force-feeding or attempting to starve a snake into a change without veterinary guidance.
Do you sell frozen ASFs?
Only feeder types actually listed in the current ASF shop are offered online. If Frozen is not listed, frozen ASFs are not currently offered there. Ask us about future options; a request is not a promise of stock.
What size ASF should I feed?
Use your snake's species, size, body condition, and veterinary feeding plan—not a feeder name alone. Read the actual size and weight range when listed. Ask a reptile veterinarian if you are unsure; we do not prescribe a universal meal size or schedule.
Does Cold Blooded Cuisine breed its own ASFs?
Our ASF breeding program is part of our local feeder work. Approved program updates appear here when published. Colony records and projections are not promises of saleable stock; only the current catalog determines what can be ordered.
Can I preorder the next litter?
Use the special-request form to express interest and tell us your quantity and timing. Submitting interest is not a reservation, paid preorder, or guaranteed date. We must discuss and confirm any available option with you first.
Where are you located?
Cold Blooded Cuisine is a home-based feeder business in Wheatfield, Indiana 46392, serving Northwest Indiana by arranged pickup. We do not publish our private residential pickup address.
How does ASF pickup work?
Arrange pickup in advance. For an online order, follow your private order-status page; pickup instructions are released at Ready under that order's payment requirements. Do not travel before your pickup is confirmed. Contact us for help with a special request.
Moving live animals across state lines? Check applicable destination rules before arranging transport; this page is not legal advice.