Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just have a few questions about keeping mice properly frozen. I have noticed a few of my older snakes becoming a little pickier than normal and it seems to be directly related to the 'quality' of the mouse offered.

Besides using freezer bags and possibly double freezer bags. What is the best way to keep mice preserved at their best. Is their an ideal temp or is colder simply better. I have noticed that one freezer in particular of mine seems to do horrible things to packages which are not vacuum sealed. It is a mini bar fridge with freezer compartment in the top. Do I simply need to use a better quality freezer to avoid this problem?

Those "Foodsavers" to remove the air from the bags are pretty cheap, and you can get bags at Walmart. You should be able to keep some mice in a Ziploc bag for 2-3 weeks without a problem, but your main supply should be "foodsaver-ed".

Walt

you should be able to keep frozen mice in a zip lock for 2-3 mos b4 any freezer burn starts to attack some will stay longer depending on the frequency they are opened, but it is best to only keep them like that for 2-3 mos after that their is no guarentee on if they are good or not. i am going to buy a food saver though beause it is better for the length of time you can keep them. i was told up to 2 years (all though mine wouldnt last that long in general). i usually buy a projected 6 mos supply. by "projected i mean what snakes i currently have times how much they usually eat, i also figure in when they will step up to another size, how many hatchlings i will have and a xtra bag of pinks for any new arrivals i might buy.
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0.1.0 normal corn het hypo,anery
1.0.0 snow corn het hypo,anery,amel
1.0.0 amel corn unknown hets(4ft 8inch long)
1.0 sinacorn
0.0.2 snapping turtles
0.0.1 3 lined mud turtle
1.1 kenyan sand boas
0.1 mbk
0.1 albino nelsons

Yeah... you can buy 50 to 100 at a time, then separate them into bags of 10 and use one bag at a time, without re-Foodsavering that bag.

Walt

...temps for maximum freezer shelf life should be zero or colder.i've been told (by co's that sell frozen feeders) that vacuum sealed feeders kept at zero degrees will stay fresh for two years.have fun!