Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was thinking of trying to thaw at room temp rather than in the fridge and then in warm/hot water. I was wondering if thawing at room temp might increase the smell of the mouse - basically make it more appealling? Any thoughts?

I thaw mine at room temp all the time. Rather than warm/hot water, I have switched to a heat pad for the finishing touch - leave it there for 15-20 minutes, and you get a nice, thick heat that penetrates the food item, giving off more scent, and more importantly, giving off enough heat signature and in the right way that it triggers a solid feeding response. Had a hatchling that didn't want to eat - plopped it on the heat pad and she took it almost instantly.

Regards,

Neil

Do you let it thaw at room temp first (if so how long) and then put on heating pad? When on the heating pad do you rotate it so that all sides get heat? I have a new BP. I've had for 3 weeks now. I've been having no luck feeding F/T. I was thawing in fridge and then in warm/hot water. Even tried the blow dryer. No luck. I wanted to try one more time before having the store I got it from help me out.

Thanks for the idea!

Length of time for thaw depends on size of prey and where you live. I go by feel. The critter should be soft and wiggly clean through - doesn't matter if it's cold or not. Adult mice (baby food till I get them switched over to rat pups) thaw for me in about 90-120 minutes. Once they are that far along, I plop them on the heat pad for 15-20 minutes. I don't flip them, but I do present the side that was on the pad to the animal.

I can be reached at the_olearys@yahoo.com if you have any more questions.

Regards,

Neil

Thanks for your help so far. One more question: is the mouse in a bag or anything when thawing and when on pad?

Thanks a million!!!!!

In a ziploc for thawing, then straight onto the pad for final warming.

Neil

I think it would be less apealing, because it would not be warm prey for the snake. If you thaw in hot water the prey is warm and my ball pythons prefer it that way. I have one female that won't even consider eating anything that is thawed at room temp.