Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have looked online and found a few different ways to thaw out frozen rats. Is there one proven way that is the best for the snake? Thanks for everyones help, you people have answered alot of my questions and given alot of great info, thanks!

I do it in very warm water. Might need a couple water changes to keep the temperature up. It's quick and doesn't give bacteria any time to grow.

I feel the rat to make sure it's warm all the way through, squeeze the excess water off, then wipe it with a few sheets of paper towels before feeding.

Bill

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'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin
Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo

I have 25 snakes and once a month everyone is on the same feed date - adults get fed every 3-4 weeks, juveniles get fed roughly every 2 weeks - depending on species. Some animals get only one prey item, some two, so I have the kitchen sink filled with hot water (from the tap) and do frequent water changes to keep it hot and thaw the prey quickly (which are in vacuum sealed bags). Mice and small rats thaw pretty quickly, even when there is a number of them, which is almost always. The jumbo rats take a bit longer, so they're usually done first. On rare occassions, if I know time is tight for feeding day, I'll put the rats in the refrigerator overnight, which allows them to thaw somewhat but still keeping them at a temperature that impedes bacterial growth. Then I do the hot tap water in the sink and have warmed prey ready to feed.

>>I do it in very warm water. Might need a couple water changes to keep the temperature up. It's quick and doesn't give bacteria any time to grow.
>>
>>I feel the rat to make sure it's warm all the way through, squeeze the excess water off, then wipe it with a few sheets of paper towels before feeding.
>>
>>Bill

Only one added note. If you have the snakes in a container/enclosure with an aspen substrate, I would be sure to unthaw the mice/rats in a sealed bag. Aspen can stick to a wet rat and be more apt to be consumed. There have been reported cases where the aspen was consumed and caused serious problems. This point has been argued by some, but I always believe in the better safe than sorry theory. Just a 2 cent thought...aw heck, lets call it free, wouldn't be worth your postage to send the 2 cents! lol. "Chuck" famman4@comcast.net