How do you thaw your prey items?

**Aaron_S** · 01-09-13, 09:45 PM

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.

**lady_bug87** · 01-09-13, 09:51 PM

I do it the same way.

Calihusker · 01-09-13, 09:54 PM

Depends on how much time I have, if I have all day I just leave them out to thaw. Otherwise, I do the same as you.

alessia55 · 01-09-13, 09:58 PM

I do it that same way every time. I take the wet rats in a bowl to the snake cages, pat them on some paper towels, and serve wet and hot. Mine also feed on substrate.

Jay · 01-09-13, 10:02 PM

[QUOTE=Aaron_S;806533]
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.

Ditto.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-09-13, 10:04 PM

I had heard (don't remember where) not to use hot water, just warm. Is that not true then?

~Maggot

jarich · 01-09-13, 10:07 PM

I put them in a plastic bag first as the smaller ones get a little gooey sometimes. Otherwise pretty similar; hot water for a half hour or so.

SSSSnakes · 01-09-13, 10:09 PM

I put them in an air tight container and let them thaw over night. My snakes have been taught to eat them at room temp. If I have to warm one up, I put it under a heat lamp for a minute or so.

CK SandBoas · 01-09-13, 10:14 PM

I take all mine out first thing in the morning, and thaw them out at room temp . If need be, i heat them underneath a heat lamp, but most, if not all my snakes readily take them without having to use the heat lamp.

dinosaurdammit · 01-09-13, 10:17 PM

put rat in plastic wrap, place rat on top of screen that houses the lights. Thaw rat.

OR set it outside. We have 70 degree days in winter so that works to

red ink · 01-09-13, 10:20 PM

Bucket... hot water from the tap... marinate for 30-45 mins... quick drip dry...serve while warm.

dinosaurdammit · 01-09-13, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red ink

Bucket... hot water from the tap... marinate for 30-45 mins... quick drip dry...serve while warm.

only reason i dont use hot water is ive actually seen it cook rats not much, but enough

moshirimon · 01-09-13, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmbraceCalamity

I had heard (don't remember where) not to use hot water, just warm. Is that not true then?

~Maggot

I think they must have meant boiling water. Hot water from the tap is fine. I put mine in a good Rubbermaid filled with hot water from the tap. I make it as hot as possible and leave the water running on top of them for a few minutes. I then just leave it for an hour or so, no maintenence necessary. I then just take them out, pat dry and feed.

Jendee · 01-09-13, 10:35 PM

I fill my bath tub with hot water

My guest has turned into my boa bathtub all things snake related happen in there..

**Aaron_S** · 01-09-13, 10:52 PM

Not as much variance as the other site lol

Just to quickly mention a couple.

A good handful of people over there also thaw at room temp overnight but will warm up with a hair dryer.

Someone uses a human heat pad to warm them up.