Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i know for human consumption there are guidelines on how long you should keep meat in your freezer. is there anything like this for snakes? i was wondering how far ahead i should stock up on rabbits. i've got plenty of freezer space but i don't want to end up throwing any away.

It will really depend on how well they are "wrapped". Some will last only a few weeks while others, if properly processed, can last months (I have used 6 month frozen feeders w/out any problems; heck, could probably last even longer). I will first place the rabbit inside a good quality freezer bag and then put it into a second freezer bag as a backup. You can also get the plastic laminate food wrap devices that make an airtight seal; that would be the best way.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>i know for human consumption there are guidelines on how long you should keep meat in your freezer. is there anything like this for snakes? i was wondering how far ahead i should stock up on rabbits. i've got plenty of freezer space but i don't want to end up throwing any away.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

i stock up on everything 6 mo. at a time. Since we never know what we'll have at the time, we keep a little of everything- mostly xl mice and xxl rabbits. I just use freezer bags and put them in the deep freeze. sometimes we have stuff left over from prev. orders- i've used stuff up to 8 months or 1 yr old- no problems- i also use a deep freeze which stays colder than a regular fride- freezer. that also makes a difference
Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Nice question. I just put down a few rabbits for my 10ft albino green. And I got a question if someone can help me. The rabbits I put down where a bit wet when I froze them. Will them being wet cause any problems when feeding. Please note that I frozen 6 months of rabbits.