I'm sure you've seen the pictures of the Ball, Retic, Burm that had a rat put in it's cage, and left there overnight. To come back to the Horror of the Rat turning on the said snake.
Feeding Frozen thaw would take care of that problem, for sure.
But, I have to many snakes to even consider using that method.
For me it is just a big mess and waste of time.
This is what I do:
I put a live rat (depending on size of the snake being fed)in with the snake(s) I am feeding. I watch for a feeding response.
80% of what I am feeding, attacks and consumes the rat as soon as I place it in the container with it.
For the other 20%, I mark that container and go back and check on them when I get finish with the entire collection.
At no time, NEVER do I leave a live rodent in with a snake more then it takes me to go thru the entire collection.
If they have not taken the prey in that time, I remove the rodent, and attempt to feed them at another time.
In all the years of using this method, I have not had one rodent turn on a snake.
Now, before all you jump on me for not using Frozen. I've tried.
But it just takes to much time to thaw, offer, re-offer and throw away uneaten rodents. It was a waste of both money and time. All my Balls eat rats. Live rats. From hatchlings to adults. I don't offer them mice. Never. Then I don't have to have all the worries of trying to "switch" them when the time comes.
If you have a small collection, then I feel frozen is fine. But once you get a collection of some size, I feel frozen is out the door.
Just my thoughts.
Ron
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Ron Billingsley
www.ronbillingsleyreptiles.com

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