Frozen feeding tips..help

[Psycl0n_B]

So last night I picked up my order of frozen rodents from Rodent Pro--20 small rats and 25 rat pups. The small rats are for my Ball Python (and ended up being a bit too small actually) and the pups are for my young Boa Constrictor.

I was very eager to give them a try so-to-speak, my ball hasn't eaten in two weeks, I did this purposefully to make sure he was extra hungry when I attempted to make the switch from prekilled to frozen thawed. Anyway, long story short, I thawed two small rats (as I said they were a bit too small and I figured Legion could take two of them) and made the attempt to offer. To my utter shock and great displeasure, he refused. After about an hour of dangling and dancing with the tongs I decided to try leaving him in a pillowcase with the two rats overnight, as of this morning they were still there.

I really was not expecting this, I've had him for almost a year now and the only time he gave me trouble eating was during the FIRST feeding, ever since then he's been an eating machine. I know that problems are to be expected when making the switch to frozen but I guess pride got the best of me and I assumed my snake would immune.

So, right now my plan is just to wait another week and try again...I'm wondering if maybe I didn't warm the rats enough or what, I put them in a ziploc bag in a bucket of water for two hours, when I made the attempt to offer he looked intrigued, flicking his tongue around but he refused to stalk and strike.

Help?

[Psycl0n_B]

Also, on a side note, I haven't had the chance to try my boa on the rat pups yet as he's about to shed...I do not however foresee problems with him, boas are supposed to be much more "eager" feeders and I would describe his demeanor as downright vicious when something furry gets dropped in the tank.

[Kaorte]

Just try again next week.

How are you thawing them? It usually helps to heat up the head of the rat with a hair dryer right before offering. Gets the scent in the room and makes it easier to see for the snakes.

[Psycl0n_B]

I think the problem may be that I didn't get them warmed up enough, they were room temperature and I did try a hair dryer but probably not for long enough. I was afraid if the water I used was too hot that their stomachs would burst. I may try again tonight but this time use warm water to thaw then HOT water just before offering (as well as blow drying the head). What do you think?

[Kaorte]

You will be more successful if you wait until the next scheduled feeding day. Sometimes offering food when they aren't interested can cause more harm then good, they get stressed out pretty easy.

[crazy python]

Thats what i do so far no problems knock on wood good luck

[tina_t]

you could also throw them into ziploc bags, squeeze out the air and then soak them in hot water-- usually if they are pre-thawed, and then heated up in hot water you don't get the bursting issues. i would also suggest feeding him in his enclosure so that he feels secure, rather than in a pillowcase...

i have always hot water thawed my rodents, and never have had bursting issues... just use warm water to thaw, and then put them in hot water for about a minute once they are thawed fully, then i quickly dry them with a paper towel and offer nice and hot, and only one at a time...

good luck!

[Psycl0n_B]

Well I have been feeding him in the enclosure, the pillowcase method was just a last attempt (I've read that in several places).

[Psycl0n_B]

Just a little update, tried a frozen rat pup on my boa tonight and he NAILED IT IMMEDIATELY!!! Now to just get Legion (The python this thread originally is concerning) to do the same...



Pic related, it's Atlas, my boa.