Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Its feeding day and out of 15 ball pythons, only 3 ate, 6 of them struck at the rodent and then left it, and the rest did not even show interest. Out of the ones that struck but didnt eat, I noticed something interesting (the rodents guts were hanging out). Is this a defrosting error. I took them out of the freezer last night about 10. This morning I feed around 9. Before I put them in the tubs, I heat them up a little with a blow dryer. I have no idea why this is such a pin in the neck. I think I am about to start feeding live again. More expensive but definitly not as much a pain...Any suggestions is appreciated

I have noticed, that if you let the rats totally defrost, and let them get to room temp. Then put then in hot water for about 10 min. They don't rip open as easy. If only 3 out of 15 are eating, then I would switch to live. I have tried both ways, and prefer live. Most will take live weekly. Hope this helps

I agree, I feed live, and even my breeders are still eating. Only refusals I've had are those in shed.

Are your snakes used to feeding during the day? This could be the issue or part of it.

Are you completely defrosting the rats and then heating the rats up to about 98* before feeding?

Are your snakes juvies or adults snakes (over a year old) that might be going off feed for the season?

Are you just dropping the rats in the tub - or are you presenting them with tongs and wiggling? This is an essential step if you are in the process of converting - a little dangle and wiggle to peak their interest - once they get fully switched to f.t. you should be able to just drop in the tub.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Insert Silly Quote Here

I always feeding daytime because the room they are in is not very bright. I always dangle the mouse or rat from a pair of hemostats. They are definitly defrosted, they were out all night. I heat them up using a hair dryer. I do not know if its 98 degrees but it is definitly hot to the touch.

the best thing you can spend your money on is a temp gun
that has helped me stop wasting so many uneaten frozen rats over the years. I found through trial and error the temp that my snakes see it as food and now I heat it to that every time and it generally works

my hatchlings this year switched to frozen after about 3 live feedings! (all but 1 that is, still trying to crack the last one to frozen)

tempgun.com
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

I know how you feel . Been there and done that . Our skin temp is 92 degress. If it feels hot it is well over 100 deg . That would blow the rodents stomach. What has worked for me is to put 4 or 5 in ziploc bags . After they have thawed out put them in a bucket of hot tap water for 10 min. As hot as your tap will go is fine .( for ten minutes ) One more suggestion , If you can thaw them out in your fridge is better than letting them sit out all day . My snakes could tell the difference . But it made my head hurt when my wife found the defrosting rats in her refridgerator. Good luck. Claude