Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got my first Corn Snake this weekend after spending a month or so doing research. The breeder fed the snake a live pinkie in front of me and the snake went right for it. So I know it eats.

My question might be kind of dumb, but I haven't seen the answer online anywhere.

Anyway, everybody seems to suggest feeding frozen/thawed pinkies. So I figured I'd see if I could get the snake to take one of them rather than continuing to feed live pinkies.

So basically, what's the standard protocol regarding thawing out the frozen pinky? Do you like toss it in the microwave? I don't know... that just seems weird. Do you just leave it out for awhile? How long?

If you've got a corn snake information website, I totally suggest you add two sentences on the topic because I've gone through literally dozens of sites without finding the answer.

Thanks,
Kevin

Put them in cold water until totally thawed. Take a cup of hot tap water, microwave it for about 20-30 seconds to get it even hotter, then dip the rodent in the water for about 15-20 seconds.
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Mike Heinrich
michael.heinrich@comcast.net

So just out of curiousity, do you put the mouse in a ziplock bag like tigergenesis suggested or do you let it sit just in the water.

Also, typically how long does it take to thaw out?

Kevin

Since I use disposable plastic cups, I just put them right in the cups. For pinkies, thawing usually only takes about an hour.

>>So just out of curiousity, do you put the mouse in a ziplock bag like tigergenesis suggested or do you let it sit just in the water.
>>
>>Also, typically how long does it take to thaw out?
>>
>>Kevin
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Mike Heinrich
michael.heinrich@comcast.net

Perhaps it's because I thaw in warm water, but a pinkie is thawed in 30 minutes tops for me. Some snakes may not like their food wet, so you may find using a ziploc a good idea. Sometimes I do have to change the water because it cools too quick.

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"Kira"

Don't use the microwave.

You can either just sit it out to thaw at room temp or you can place the frozen mouse in a ziploc bag and sit that in a bowl of warm water to thaw (I do it this way). I then like to add a bit of extra heat and lay it on the top of a light for about a minute - probably not as necessary for corns as it is for my python.
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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

I fry mine! Just kidding
I put the pinkies in warm water then just feel them to see if they seem warm enough, if not Ill change the water and warm it more. Ive never fed live so Im not sure how your corn will react to frozen but a lot of people here will know Im sure. Im still learning so much just from reading posts here. I think that the people here are just as good if not sometimes better than any caresheet going.

>>I got my first Corn Snake this weekend after spending a month or so doing research. The breeder fed the snake a live pinkie in front of me and the snake went right for it. So I know it eats.
>>
>>My question might be kind of dumb, but I haven't seen the answer online anywhere.
>>
>>Anyway, everybody seems to suggest feeding frozen/thawed pinkies. So I figured I'd see if I could get the snake to take one of them rather than continuing to feed live pinkies.
>>
>>So basically, what's the standard protocol regarding thawing out the frozen pinky? Do you like toss it in the microwave? I don't know... that just seems weird. Do you just leave it out for awhile? How long?
>>
>>If you've got a corn snake information website, I totally suggest you add two sentences on the topic because I've gone through literally dozens of sites without finding the answer.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Kevin

The other thing that no one has mentioned so far.
If your snake ate last weekend it is probably not hungry now. When it doesn't eat a frozen pinkie it won't prove a thing. Also it is likely to need some time to adjust to its new home. Give it at least a week or so before trying a frozen/thawed pinkie.
Corinne
dragonfly@w-link.net

I wasn't planning to feed him until the weekend. I was just doing some research this morning and realized I hadn't asked about that yet.

Thanks for your help everyone.

>>I have tried several ways and have finally settled for the easiest.
I get a tupperware pan and fill it about 3 inches deep with HOT tap water and then just toss the mice in. After about 15 to 20 minutes I take them out, pat the excess water off with paper towels and feed them to my little monsters.
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Jimmy (draybar)

i thaw my fuzzies, adult mice and rats in the fridge over night. set them out the next day to room temp. mine have always eaten them this way. my python on the other hand likes her rats warmed up so i put them in hot hot water.
if yours doesn't go for it right away, just wiggle it a bit and they usually go for it. there are some snakes out there that will not eat f/t.

1 ghost corn
1 amel corn
1 honduran milk
1 jungle carpet python

all beloved pets

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0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

when i take them out of the fridge they are thawed. then for the fuzzies and adult mice they get to room temp in like 15-20 minutes. the rats take longer that's why i put them in some hot water for a few minutes.
i have held pinks and fuzzies under the hot faucet or put them in a little hot water in a baggie and they will thaw out in a matter of minutes. i just always like to thaw them the night before so they are all thawed at once.
only problem I have with the hot water and the pinkies and fuzzies is sometimes the skin will tear and then you have a mess of the meal!

Ewwww! Anyway thanks. I've been thinking of doing it this way and was wondering how long it took.

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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

I use the heat lamp over my tortoise.Takes about 3 minutes.