I grew up around snakes; it was my dad's hobby that became my own. We bred our own rats and mice when I lived at home, and I will hopefully get to start another rodent breeding project in the next couple of years (I HATE paying so much for the little things)... but until then I am at the mercy of the swaps (for bulk frozen) and the local pet store (for live mice).

I like the method of thawing that my dad came up with through trial-and-error: put the frozen rodent in a zip-lock bag with as little air as possible, then place the sealed bag in some hot tap water to soak ~20 minutes, depending on the size of the prey. This usually produces a warm, thawed rodent, though occasionally damp, as the cheapie bags that I buy do leak from time to time. I know well enough that a warm, damp environment is a bacteria haven, so I am interested in anyone else's thawing suggestions.

For those who haven't tried it, I think the microwave-method was the most memorable "error" we ever made ... I can laugh about it now because it was over 15 years ago.

Thanks,
~Rebecca
-----
0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)
1.2 Ball Pythons

[ Hide Replies ]

• Thawing Methods? - amarilrose, Tue Nov 14 19:47:47 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - dnreptiles, Tue Nov 14 20:08:48 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - LibertyReptiles, Tue Nov 14 23:56:28 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - ballfreak, Wed Nov 15 10:47:25 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - LibertyReptiles, Wed Nov 15 10:54:08 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - ballfreak, Wed Nov 15 10:56:04 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - LibertyReptiles, Wed Nov 15 12:25:23 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - ballfreak, Wed Nov 15 12:56:43 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - LibertyReptiles, Wed Nov 15 13:19:06 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - dsreptiel, Wed Nov 15 11:05:50 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - toshamc, Wed Nov 15 11:13:00 2006
• har - phantompoo, Wed Nov 15 13:56:25 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - hoot, Wed Nov 15 12:03:29 2006
• RE: Thawing Methods? - 13lackcat, Wed Nov 15 15:38:16 2006
• Bucket method. - CaseyLazik, Wed Nov 15 20:58:29 2006
• If you like thawing in warm water... - AnthonyCaponetto, Thu Nov 16 04:13:15 2006
• Thanks, Anthony. - CaseyLazik, Thu Nov 16 08:24:01 2006