How do you thaw your prey items?

[Chu'Wuti]

I thaw in ziploc bags placed in hot water from the tap. For the colubrids, once the critters are thawed, I just set them in the enclosures on the paper toweling; they grab them, and no one has ever ingested paper toweling.

For the ball pythons, I do a last warm-up of the head of each rat just before feeding each python--I get the head good and hot so they got after it and not me! Had one tag me once even though I was using feeding tongs--I didn't get the head hot enough, so my hand, above the tank, was hotter than the rat. ooooops

Sometimes the plastic bags leak, so then I feed wet rats, but usually not; it never seems to be a problem.

I have NEVER had any explode or get nasty, unusually squishy, cooked, or any weirdness with this thawing method. Maybe some people have their hot water heaters set hotter than some of us?

[stephanbakir]

I thaw my rats in hot water, takes about 5-40 minutes depending on the size of the rat...
I thaw my rabbits in room temp water, using hot water still takes 4-5 hours with big rabbits and I'm afraid of cooking them. Better to take the rabbit out at night and feed them to the snake in the morning 8-10hours later.

[NBLADE]

I get out the night before and leave them to defrost over night at room temp, some will get warmed up slightly before feeding for the more fussy feeders that like their food warm, the rest get fed as they are.

[ra94131]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

I just put them in a ziplock and leave them out to thaw for a few hrs. I used to do the warm water method, but it got messy; rodents always busted when struck by the snake. Never could get the right temps for the water.

This is exactly what I do. I've used warm/hot water before but once I realized that mine would eat just as readily at room temperature this was easier.

[sweatshirt]

I put the rat in a Ziploc bag and put it in the fridge overnight so it thaws a bit.

Then one of either 2 things: I either put the bag in hot/warm water for 30 minutes or run the bag under hot water for 15-20 minutes. Luckily we have well water that stays hot forever.

Then I use my hair dryer on low to warm it up a little more. It smells funky but... =)

[EL Ziggy]

I bring a pot of water to a low boil, put the water in a thermal cup or large bowl, place frozen rodents in sealed bags in the water for 10-12 minutes and serve hot. My snakes are eating fuzzys and hoppers now. They're always hot and totally thawed but not cooked. I guess it's working pretty good so far.

[formica]

I use boiled water, putting the frozen rodents into cold water (wrapped in clingfilm), then adding boiled water, about 50/50, 3-4minutes is all it takes to defrost and warm up, longer for larger ones obv, then i pat dry and wait till the rodents are about 30-32C before feeding, they dont usually get above 36-37C so it doesnt take long, and doesnt 'cook' them

[Amadeus]

I have an iced tea pitcher that I fell with hot tap water and just put the vermin in. I don't dry them. If anything the water lubes em up a little bit and gives them some extra hydration.

[serpentgirl123]

I put the rodents (big or small) into a sealed Ziploc bag into the fridge until thawed. Then I put the rodents in some warm water, just to heat them up a bit and add some extra hydration (sometimes I will dry them-mostly don't), and feed. Never had a complaint yet lol

[kala83]

I don't currently own any snakes of my own but I want to feed mine primarily frozen rodents so thanks a lot for this thread VERY helpful!!

[ThornPython4]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

This is a really popular topic right now on another forum I belong and it's interesting the answers that I've read.

How do you thaw your frozen prey items?

I'll start.

I use a rubbermaid and with the hottest water my tap will give me I fill it and place all the rodents into it. I re-do it roughly 30 - 60 minutes later and then just again before feeding so they are nice and hot. I pat dry a bit so not to be dripping and serve!

I currently have all my snakes on paper and when they were on substrate I had no fear of impaction either with the wet rodents.

I only have to leave it for roughly 30 mins, if you keep reheating it, the meal might be too hot for the snake.

[drumcrush]

I put water in the microwave for like 15 sec. Then I put my mice in a baggy and I set them in the bowl and let them thaw out while I take a shower.

[TarantulaSteve]

I thaw all my rodents in a ziplock bag overnight in the fridge. Pop the bag in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes for my snakes. Our monitor would probably take them frozen if I offered :P

[snakeman879]

Thats how I do it defrost all night then hair drier in the morning works really well with ballpithons not so much with my boa she just eats it warm or cold lol

[Wama]

Lift out of freezer, place in large rub.....Go to work.....come home and feed