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Welcome to

The Story of Greenbean the Ball Python

This is Greenbean. She's a beautiful Ball Python owned by our son, Austin. Greenbean is a shy eater and a horribly picky one at that. 


You might be wondering where Greenbean got her name. Well, I'm about to tell you the cutest story of a 3 yr old boy and his dream to have a ball python.


You see, when Austin was 3 years old, we went to the zoo. There, Austin spotted this huge ball python named, Monty. From the moment he saw Monty, Austin wanted a snake. However, since his father is NOT a fan of snakes, we got him a stuffed green ball python and was told that when he grew up and got a place of his own, he could get a snake then.


Fast forward 19 years, Austin is now 22 and lives in his own place. So for his birthday, his dad and I got him a beautiful Ball Python from a breeder in Tinley Park up by Chicago. About half way home with this new little friend, Austin says, "Mom, I know what I'm going to name her!" I said, "OH?? And what exactly is that?" He said, "Mom, you remember my stuffed snake? Well.. I finally have it... for real. and so I will be naming this little Boop Noodle, Greenbean!"


And, now, we have Greenbean... the friendly, happy, cuddly ball python that Austin has wanted for 19 years!!

And the Taters? 

Since Greenbean is a picky eater, this is where the African Soft Furred Rats come into play.


Since Greenbean was fed ASF since hatching, he will refuse to eat anything else. SO, We got a breeding group of ASF from the breeder we got Greenbean from.


Now, we have babies coming out of our ears. 


Now you are probably wondering about the name "Greenbean's Tater-Tot Hut". Well, where Austin lives, there are a couple of small children. When they asked what his snake ate, he told them "tater tots" He didn't want to traumatize the small children, and by telling them he ate tater tots, it satisfied their curiosity for now.


I mean, he did name his original breeders after taters... 


The male is Tater Salad and the females are Fried Tater and Sweet Tater and the babies are...



TATER TOTS


Click the photo below ⬇︎ to order your feeders. 

Please allow 1-2 business days for us to get back to you. 

If you are needing some ASAP, please submit your form and then send us a text or email.

African Soft Furred Rats

We breed African Soft Furred Rats (ASF) for your Ball Pythons. 

We will add updates as required and are always available to answer questions.

Sizes and Prices

Price list is for LIVE & FROZEN

Currently we do not offer shipping but hope to be able to in the near future. 

Pick-up and meet up are available according to our availability.


Current meet-up locations include*:

Bloomington/Normal ($7.00 fee)

Champaign/Urbana ($7.00 fee)

Downs ($5.00 fee)

LeRoy ($2.00 fee)

Farmer City ($2.00 fee)

Clinton ($7.00 fee)

Heyworth ($7.00 fee)

Mahomet ($5.00 fee)

Delivery to anywhere OUTSIDE of Bloomington/Normal or Champaign/Urbana is $20.00 per hour of drive time TO and FROM the meet or drop off location.


We also offer free pick up at our farm.


*There is a $2.00 - $7.00 delivery/meet-up fee to cover travel costs for local deliveries.


Some information to consider

  • They are not happy if they do not have other soft fur rats with them, the more in your group,         the better but the advised ratio is at least two.
  • They live in large colonies in the wild and they are happier in larger colonies though just               keeping a couple is acceptable.
  • The best way to pick up a soft fur rat is by the base of its tail, they are more apt to nip or bite        when grasped  from behind.
  • Soft fur rats are strictly nocturnal, you will rarely see them out in the day.
  • As for odor - ASF produce little to no odor unlike domesticated fancy rats/mice.

Disclaimer: ASF are NOT pets. Although the "can" be tamed, here, they are bred for the sole purpose of feeding Greenbean and other Ball Pythons in the Central Illinois & surrounding areas. Please keep in mind that IF you contact us looking for a pet rat, you will be told we do not raise PETS. We raise FEEDERS.

Last Updated

05/02/2022

Contact Info

Current Available Feeders

Any number listed in BOLD RED Means we are LOW on quantities and we can not guarantee we will have more in the next 7 days.

List was last updated:
March 9, 2022

Type
Number Available
Pinkies 
8
Fuzzies
13
Hoppers
12
Weaned
0
Small
0
 Medium
0
 Large
0
 Jumbo
0

Current Litter Schedule

We allow the males and females to do what they need to do. We check daily to make sure everyone is fed, watered, and healthy.

Litters Due

Each female has a litter every 24 days. This means that every 10-12 days we have a new litter born. As we expand our colony, litters will be more frequent and move of them.

Weaning Schedule

We prefer to wean in same sex groups at 3-4 weeks of age. We do this for several reasons:

  1. This allows them time away from other litters and adults.
  2. It makes it easier for us to decide who's going and who's staying.
  3. This allows the newly born litters a chance at survival as the older litters can suffocate the new borns

African Soft-Furred Rats
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Preferred Diet

ASF's are omnivores and will eat everything from mealworms to fruit and veggies to seeds and more.


Here at Greenbean's Tater Tot Hut, we provide fresh fruits and veggies along with high quality rodent blocks, bugs and seeds. 

Housing

For our breeding adults, we use a 40q Hefty clear storage bin with high rise locking lid. We have ventilation holes in it and a place for the water bottle.


Babies under 3 weeks are also kept in here with their colony.


Once weaned, babies are moved into Nursery Totes. These totes are 18q Hefty clear storage bins with high rise locking lid. They also have ventilation holes in it and a place for the water bottle. This keeps them warm and safe and prevents escape. We wean in same sex groups to prevent unwanted litters. 


No matter what enclosure they are in, they are provided with places to hide, nesting material (usually tissues), chew toys and fresh food and water.


While we do not handle them on a daily basis other than checking health and sexing, they are talked to daily and do have some human interactions. 


Over time, they have come accustomed to me invading their colony and no long try to attack me while doing baby checks.

Climate

ASF do not handle the cold since they come from warm climates and need warmth to thrive.


Preferred temperature range is between 75ᴼ - 90ᴼ F. While they will be ok at the lower temperature, higher is better.

Breeding Information

ASFs can breed as early as 2 months of age. Litter size can be anywhere from 6 to as many as 22. Gestation period is approximately 21 days. When breeding, a minimum of 2 female and 1 male should be considered. If not, the male will drive the female crazy with breedings and cause stress and potentially other health issues.


Females in the colony will help raise each others young as will the male. There is no need to remove males or females during breeding/littering

Looking ahead

As we progress with breedings, we will eventually have several breeding colonies. This will help with production and the ability to have several of different ages available.

Litter Production Stats

Month & Year
Colony #1
2M/8F
October 2021
32
 November 2021
20
 December 2021
12
 January 2022
30
 February 2022
36
 March 2022
35
 April 2022
44
 May 2022
24
 June 2022
 ---
 July 2022
 ---
 August 2022
 ---
 September 2022
 ---
 October 2022
 ---
 November 2022
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 December 2022
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