Slims a animal

[knads06]

Well now that the warmer weather is here my bp Slim is a monster. He's eating every 6-7 days and is up to medium/large rats now. In the beginning he was a real picky eater but now theres certain signs i look for when i know he'll eat. Usually around 9pm or so ill take a look in my room, and if he's on the warm side with his head looking out of his hide its almost a definite that he'll eat. I usually thaw my rats out during the day, and right before i feed him i pop the rat in the microwave for 10 seconds to warm it up. First i make sure my mom is no where near the kitchen before i use it though :). THe second i dangle the rat in the cage Slim snatches it instantly. His water dish is in the middle of the tank and is by far the funniest thing to look at when he's under it. The dish is usually proped up about 2 inches or so because he no long fits inside of it......... Ill post some pics as soon as i get um

[Coloradoball]

I dont think you are supposed to microwave rats for any amount of time. What i would i do and same with alot of other people is they put the rat in a ziploc and submerge the rat into warm/hot water for about 30 mins. To test to see if it is good apply moderate pressure to the chest (between the 2 front legs) and if you feel any cool then put back in water. you will need to take the rat out and reheat the water in the microwave about halfway through. I have heard microwaving the rat could be deadly to the snake.

[Princess Erica]

Haha, mine did the same thing under his water dish. It'd be all lop-sided and spill some of the water out because he was too big to be under it. I got him a bigger one though, and he seems to really enjoy it.

As far as microwaving the rat... BIG no-no. As Colorado said, you should use hot water to warm your rat. Microwaving it is a recipe for disaster. Microwaves create hotspots in the rat which could harm your snake. Why even take the chance? Put it in a Ziploc, put it in hot water, and keep changing the water to get it warmed all the way through. Mom will be much more happy with this method anyway.

[knads06]

I honestly dont see how putting the rat in a microwave can harm the snake. 10 seconds barely gets the outside warm, but its just warm enough to make him strike. Ive tried the soaking in hot water technique and it works good, ive also tried dipping the head of the rat in warm water right before i feed it to him, but the best technique so far is putting it in the microwave for a few seconds. I understand what everyone is saying, buts its not like im throwing it in there for 1 minute and takin it out smokin hot. After 10 seconds its warm to the touch and i even let it cool down for a few before i feed it to Slim. This technique has worked the best for me in my first year of BP ownership

[Princess Erica]

Well you're welcome to do whatever you think works for your snake, no one can stop you if you think it's a good idea... but when something happens, don't say you weren't warned... it's not like people are saying this just to be pricks, ya know? Good luck with whatever you decide.

[knads06]

i definitely understand what all of you are saying and i appreciate all the comments. Im just trying to stress is that after thawing that rat out in hot water for a few hours or however long it takes, i put it in the microwave for just a few seconds, sometimes its 10 seconds just to give it a little heat on the outside. Its not in there long enough to get a hot spot on the inside. By the time i take it out and go upstairs to feed slim its already cooled off tremendously but it still gives off that heated sent which my snakes seems to attack on. Once again thank you for comments