Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Got a question. After the temporary escape my snake didn't eat his pinks. I left them in his cage with him overnight. This morning they were not eaten and stunk horribly, one was blown up like a balloon. I've never experienced that rancid smell before with pinkies. Is this somewhat normal or should I get rid of that batch of pinks? Thanks in advance.

-----
Joe

Joe, I would use new, good pinks on OUR favorite snake,lol. But dont throw those out, every year you will have some "garbage pail" snakes. These are the guys who always eat ANYTHING. They clean up what others dont eat,etc. Those pinks to greedy feeders are a good use, but the small problem is that in summer they will last even less time before getting stinky. Just keep on top of it. Jeff

Joe, there's nothing wrong with the batch O'frozen pinks, the stench of a rotting pink can only be exceeded by the stench of a barfed pink.
Swollen and purple is completely normal for an old pink.
BTW, uneaten pinks can get stuck to the bottom of the waterbowl and are easy to miss until it's freakin reekin.
Nice subject, anybody gagging yet??
The frozen pinks should have a very neutral smell, very old frozen ones can have a slightly 'sour' mouse smell. Try to keep them in a freezer that is NOT frost free - frost free fridges defrost by raising the temps hence partially thawing your rodent stash.
Jeff

yep,thats normal. You think a one or two day old decomposing pinkie stinks? Imagine what a human smells like after dying and rotting in an apartment for a week before anyone finds it, BADDDDDD! I dont wish it on anyone. Anyway, back to the original question LOL, when this happens with my hatchlings(usually with the deli cup feeders)and they have been crawling around in the decomposing pinky over night, I always wash the snake with a luke warm paper towel to get the funk of off him/her. If it was left in its tub or enclosure, you may want to clean the substrate and I would recommend changing the water as well. Best of luck. Mike Panichi
-----
honesty is my only policy

Thanks guys. I guess I had just been lucky (not experiencing the nasty odors) up till now!
-----
Joe