I thawed a feeder fuzzy mous out yesterday. Is it still good today?

Praireboyfarmer · 05-20-15, 09:38 PM

I bought a fuzzy feeder mouse the other day and my snake didn't take it (I feel I stressed him out too much moving him to his feeding enclosure) So I bagged it up and refridgerated it over-night with the intention of trying again a few hours later (it is as safely stored as you can possibly get, I'm not one to take harmful bacteria lightly)

Well before I threw it out I came here to ask... is it okay if it was refridgerated over night? Or is it no good? I mean I'm pretty sure I know the answer.... but gosh throwing $2.50 in the garbage just feels terrible right now.

and also if my snake doesn't take his food what can I do with it to prolong it after it's been thawed?

I apologize if I sound ignorant. I'm new to this

SnoopySnake · 05-20-15, 09:43 PM

I wouldn't use it, personally. Next time you could refreeze once, as long as it wasn't out too long. I would throw it outside, instead of in the trash though. Then at least something might eat it.

**EL Ziggy** · 05-21-15, 07:37 PM

I wouldn't use the refrigerated mouse but going forward it is ok to refreeze a thawed feeder once if your snake refuses to eat. If they refuse it a second time it's best to discard the prey item unless of course you have another snake to dispose of the leftovers.

**Minkness** · 05-22-15, 02:49 PM

Also, try feeding him in his enclosure. I like to use an old coffee can lid (the plastic kind that pop off) to help keep the substrate off of it. You can actually leave it in over night as sometimes a snake will only eat if it feels 100% safe.

I may get flamed for this...but I left a thawed pinkie in my hoggie tank for almost 2 days (forgot about it...oops) saw it still in there at night...I meant to remove it and forgot again, but when I went to remove it the following morning, it was gone and my hoggie was fat....not something I'd suggest doing, but it happens, and I don't think it's that big of a deal to a snake since they are built to handle the wild and sometimes even scavenge dead stuff.

Since I believe your snake is a wold one however, it might be something to try.

**millertime89** · 05-22-15, 02:55 PM

If you're going to save a prey item it's best to stick it back in the freezer and wait 5-7 days (or however long you usually wait between feedings). I wouldn't reuse it since it was only refrigerated, but it shouldn't harm the snake if you do. Snakes have been known to feed on road kill in the wild so it's probably fine for them, but the smell may be unpleasant for you.