Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I recently acquired a 1 1/2 year old BCI red-tail that readily feeds on F/T small rats. Though not my first snake, this is my first one that feeds on frozen/thawed food. My question is regarding the keeping of this food overnight. If I purchase them from my local pet store a day in advance of feeding, do I store it in the freezer or refrigerator until the next evening when I am ready to thaw it?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Well, there's a 100 ways to skin a cat, but usually I pull rats the night before feeding and set them out to defrost. If you put them in the fridge, they'll defrost, but you'll still have to leave them out, or warm them up somehow prior to feeding since they'll still be cold. I've never microwaved them, but it could be really interesting!!! LOL! I don't like to put them in warm/hot water to defrost, but some people do. I just don't want to get them too hot and partially cooked. I also don't want to put saturated rats in the cages. And if keeping a freezer full of rats doesn't float your boat, you can always just pre-kill...same difference, just warm and fresh. Good luck, take care

Paul

I guess it's more of a personal preference. I don't like to have rats in the refridgerator. (Actually my wife would kill me if she found them in there. LOL!) So, I keep all my rats in my "rat freezer" and thaw them out the night I will be feeding them.
The only realy bonus I see keeping them in the refridgerator is that the rat will take less time to thaw and warm up.
That's what kills my time. Waiting for the darn things to thaw out completely in the hot water.
So, I don't think it really matters. It just matters what you want to deal with.
John

>>Hello all,
>>
>>I recently acquired a 1 1/2 year old BCI red-tail that readily feeds on F/T small rats. Though not my first snake, this is my first one that feeds on frozen/thawed food. My question is regarding the keeping of this food overnight. If I purchase them from my local pet store a day in advance of feeding, do I store it in the freezer or refrigerator until the next evening when I am ready to thaw it?
>>
>>Thanks in advance for your advice.
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