would you feed this to your snake?

stkkts · 08-22-03, 09:49 AM

So yesterday I defrosted 2 rats to give to my ball python. I let them defrost overnight in the fridge. Then I soaked them in warm water to warm them up. My snake took one, but refused the other. So I put it back in the freezer. My GF is saying that the rat is now infested with bacteria that started to breed while it was warm (It was only about a half hours time) and that freezing it wont kill the bacteria. I know most people wont do this with food we have to eat (But not too many people refuse food) but is it OK for the snake? Or do you think too much bacteria grew and I should just throw it out?

wyz · 08-22-03, 10:01 AM

Once it's got unfrozen, never refreeze it.. Gotta throw it away !

WYZ

drewlowe · 08-22-03, 10:03 AM

Yep i agree if you dethaw it don't refreeze it.

KingFfaj · 08-22-03, 10:09 AM

yer but snakes arnt afected by the same bacteria that harms us..but...
when my snake refused a mouse, i put it back in the freezer and tried agian the next day..... he wouldnt eat it, it obviously didnt smell right to him (and he eats anything anytime), so thats the key, if it smells bad, it will probably do your body harm, and I guess the same applies for snakes, if it likes the smell, he'd eat it in the wild, if it smells to bad, he'll leave it.
may as well try coz they do have strong digestive juices

stkkts · 08-22-03, 10:29 AM

better to be safe than sorry. Ill just throw it out.

Thanks for the replies.

Linds · 08-23-03, 01:22 PM

Your girlfriend was correct in that bacteria has really begun to grow. I believe the growth rate on the bacteria that decomposes flesh is that it triples every 15 minutes.

KingFjai is also correct that snakes and other reptiles are not affected by the same bacteria that affects us. How many times have you seen a croc feasting on an old bloated carcass? I have one snake here that will only eat an item that was killed, left out for 12 hours or so, then frozen for a few days, then thawed out and left in his cage overnight

Tell me that isn't a stinky bacteria fest! However bacteria isn't the only concern associated with refreezing, when an item is refrozen it also further alters the nutrient composition and decreases the strength of the cells (that's one of the reasons you see those exploded rodents). I'd recommend avoiding refreezing the rodents... it can be a pain in the butt to have to throw them out, but its not really worth keeping them IMHO.

ANACONDASAURUS · 08-23-03, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wyz
Once it's got unfrozen, never refreeze it.. Gotta throw it away !

WYZ

I agree! It's not worth the aggravation of getting your reptile sick.

Lisa · 08-23-03, 03:45 PM

Refreezing is a touchy subject. Personally I think it makes your snake's immune system stronger because if there are bacteria on the rodent, the snake would have to fight it a bit. Think about it, if you isolate yourself from everything your immune system will start to weaken. Now I wouldn't recommend exposing an unhealthy speciman to refrozen food, as their immune system is already being taxxed.

Also remember, reptiles are natural carriers of salmonela, meaning it won't affect them.

Invictus · 08-23-03, 05:00 PM

Lisa does bring up a very good point. We can't have our snakes living in bubbles now, can we?

Luckily for me, our corns and our BCI will eat anything remotely fuzzy and rodent-like dangled in their face. This makes me very nervous when I'm cleaning their cage and my goatee is getting a bit long.

Sometimes I'll refreeze as long as I did a rapid thaw, and haven't had the mouse thawed for more than 15 minutes or so. After about an hour, if the snake hasn't taken it, it's in the garbage.

MontyPython · 08-23-03, 08:53 PM

What is the recommended length of time to thaw a mouse or rat? I usually wait at least 20 min. I put it in a glass of hot-warm water and dry it off and then the snake does the rest. Is that long enough?
Thanks

Brian

Invictus · 08-23-03, 10:21 PM

As long as it doesn't feel cold if you give it a bit of a squeeze. 20 mins should be ok though.

Linds · 08-24-03, 09:38 PM

What size rodent? Pinkies may only take a minute or so while jumbo rats may take 20+ minutes. All depends on how fast the water cools, the initial temperature of both prey and water, etc. To check, pinch the rodent right through to the spine in several parts of the body, as well as through the shoulders and chest area. Hold for a little bit and if you don't feel any cold, its done

BlkMambaVenom · 08-30-03, 09:35 PM

LoL... I was just thinkin they should put one of those things they stick in turkeys so you know when its done. Stick in the rat/mouse and when it pops up its warm enough! I know i am a weird one...hehe

I dont even know why i started thinkin about that.
Brittany

Neo · 08-31-03, 10:24 PM

scientifically speaking.. bacteria is a single cell organism w/ a weak membrane (as compared to a cell wall). freezing bacteria will cause the cytoplasm (the inside liquid of a cell) to expand and eventually burst so the bacteria cant really do nething.. if it's.. well a pile of goo

RaVeNo888o · 08-31-03, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Linds
I have one snake here that will only eat an item that was killed, left out for 12 hours or so, then frozen for a few days, then thawed out and left in his cage overnight .

what type of snake is that?

i defrost my mice in about 15-20 min as well. i keep dumping the water and putting warm water back in, since it cools down farely quick from the frozen mouse