Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

reeve105a · Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:49 pm Post subject:

My cousin told me that his new and first ever snake wouldn't feed. while talking to him more about it he told me that he didn't have time to defrost a mouse so he stuck them in the microwave for 1 min.. Rolling Eyes

But I must admit that when I first started keeping reptiles. I wanted to show my friends how my grey ratsnake fed. Because I didn't have a mouse ready I got one out of the freezer and nuked it in the microwave for a 5 min. The mouse looked ok but the smell was really bad.
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Drymarchon32 · Key Member Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 271

Microwaves are not a great idea, they can create super hot pockets within the food if it doesn't defrost evenly. The animal bites into the food and gets a squirt of very hot insides. Like eating a tomato and cheese toastie. I wouldn't want to apply burn cream to the inside of a snake's mouth.
Just a thought
A

sam · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:11 pm Post subject:

i dont have any snakes, but frequently deal with the ones we keep at the vet school reptile unit. We tend to defrost in running warm water, then dry off with a towel (being careful not to touch the mouse and leave our scent on it!) then if it still wont take it, we cut the rostrum and let the blood entice the snake... generally works, but if the snake doesnt want to eat it wont!
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JStroud · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject:

Only defrost pinkies in warm water, anything bigger is just left out at room temperature Wink

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argentine_boa · Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:03 am Post subject:

I put mine in hot water and leave it until it goes all floppy and feels alright in your hands. If it feels slightly too cold for your liking, leave it in the water a bit longer. Also you could leave it over night to thaw and then just put it in hot water to warm then you know they have properly defrosted. But I usually use the first method I said because it is quicker and the food is more fresh

argentine_boa · Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:03 am Post subject:

I put mine in hot water and leave it until it goes all floppy and feels alright in your hands. If it feels slightly too cold for your liking, leave it in the water a bit longer. Also you could leave it over night to thaw and then just put it in hot water to warm then you know they have properly defrosted. But I usually use the first method I said because it is quicker and the food is more fresh

StreetDragster · Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:11 am Post subject:

I just defrost mine to room temperature and don't do any further heating, no problems with my snakes not taking the food as yet.

Thanks

Matt
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Budsteam · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:48 am Post subject:

Lady Python · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:53 pm Post subject:

herp_boi · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

I use hot water for everything.Only a problem if you leave the pinkies in for too long Laughing

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