Food for thought.

scales.jp · 10-21-17, 08:51 PM

I found this link which I thought might be useful reference for anyone warming up frozen thawed food:
Animal Species

For quick reference, here are the average body temperatures of some of the more common prey items for medium to large snakes:

Mouse:　36.9℃ / 98.4°F
Rat:　37.3℃ / 99.1°F
Rabbit:　38.6℃ / 101.5°F
Goat:　39.0℃ / 102.2°F
Sheep:　39.3℃ / 102.7°F

**EL Ziggy** · 10-21-17, 09:00 PM

I usually heat all prey items up to about 100F before serving them to the snakes.

scales.jp · 10-21-17, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

I usually heat all prey items up to about 100F before serving them to the snakes.

That's probably the best temperature to aim for, smack bang in the middle!

Shauna0522 · 10-22-17, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

I usually heat all prey items up to about 100F before serving them to the snakes.

I'm just wondering how we can take its temperature or do we just guess? I usually just make it very warm

dannybgoode · 10-22-17, 02:45 AM

To be honest I sometimes heat the prey, sometimes just serve at room temperature. It's never made a difference to any of my snakes feeding response.

I've started to for my scrubs and retics but that's more so the prey is warmer than my hand lowering the chance of it missing and biting me!

pinefamily · 10-22-17, 03:22 AM

We thaw the rats and mice in a large bowl with hot water out of the tap.

scales.jp · 10-22-17, 06:33 AM

I thaw my mice in the fridge overnight, then warm them up in warm water for 10 minutes before feeding. My snake likes to sniff about for a while before eating, so it's probably cold again by the time he eats it.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-22-17, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shauna0522

I'm just wondering how we can take its temperature or do we just guess? I usually just make it very warm

I thaw the prey items in a ziploc bag and a bowl of warm water. When it's completely thawed I use a hair dryer to heat the prey item to 100F. I have a temp gun to measure the prey items temperature before serving.

pinefamily · 10-22-17, 02:44 PM

Ours like them at least warm, unlike our monitors, who get the leftovers.
Ziggy, you don't need to do that with your carpets. Warm their food up in hot water in a bowl, drip dry with a towel, and it's a good way to make sure your snake never gets dehydrated.

scales.jp · 10-22-17, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scales.jp

My snake likes to sniff about for a while before eating, so it's probably cold again by the time he eats it.

I take that back. Today he took the mouse just seconds after I put it in front of him, almost made me jump! Maybe something to do with me handling him in direct sunlight for 10 minutes before feeding.