Reptile & Amphibian Forums

While I'm assuming that refreezing thawed prey items (rats) is not a good thing to do, I figured I should ask your opinions before I go and throw away refused food.

My boa refused to eat for the first time ever the other night. I am quite positive that it was because I thawed her rats in the same container along with a couple of rabbits I was thawing for another snake of mine. It was also the first time I ever had rabbits on the menu for any of my snakes.

So, I figure: the new, strange smell of 'rabbit' on her usual dinner of rats probably threw her off a bit. She refused to eat either of the large rats that I had thawed for her.

Is it a bad idea to refreeze the rats to try again another day?

Thanks,
- Mark

(this is a pic of her from some time ago)

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I personally think refreezing is a bad idea. Multiple freeze/thaws tend to break down the tissues, making the item(s) softer and more prone to rupturing. There's also the bacterial growth that happens after a prey item is thawed and then held at room temperature for extended periods. Not all of that is necessarily killed off with refreezing. I choose to simply pitch refused prey items because I'd rather lose money on uneaten prey than on a vet visit because I used something that was refrozen.

Raven

You make a good point there.

Into the trash they go. I'll stick with fresh (frozen) food.

Thanks,
- Mark

>>I personally think refreezing is a bad idea. Multiple freeze/thaws tend to break down the tissues, making the item(s) softer and more prone to rupturing. There's also the bacterial growth that happens after a prey item is thawed and then held at room temperature for extended periods. Not all of that is necessarily killed off with refreezing. I choose to simply pitch refused prey items because I'd rather lose money on uneaten prey than on a vet visit because I used something that was refrozen.
>>
>>Raven
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My personal site: www.antegy.com
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My Kingsnake.com Picture Gallery
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