Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I hve read a few hazy opinions that thawing rodents in warm water leeches essential vitamins and minerals from the food items, thereby voiding proper nutrition and in growth in captive snakes. Is there truth to this statement or is it a fallacy? Is there any solid documentation that either proves or disproves this statement? Thanks

I think this idea came from the myth that ALL nutrients are leeched from vegetables when boiled, which just isn't true. For small mammals, I just cannot imagine that this could happen any more than with veggies (I have an image of Rat Soup ).

I don't have any real data to back any of this up, but if it worries you at all you could always nuke 'em in the microwave on low if you're in a hurry. Just besure to let them sit for a while before offering them because the hot-spots in a nuked rodent can burn a snakes mouth and make them forever skiddish about that type of food.

I used to nuke chickens and rats for my retic pythons all the time.

Phil