Intense feeding response from prey defrosted in fridge?

[AtlasStrike]

I have an 09 Corn snake and a 500g BP who I've had for about 6 weeks. The corn is about 39" eating F/T adult mice every 7 days, even in shed and my BP is eating F/T weaned rats at the same interval. Last week, Atlas, my BP was in shed and refused the rat, but King Crimson, the corn ate just fine. Anyway, this week I was a little pressed for time, so instead of defrosting in hot water, I just popped the mouse and the rat in a ziplock and stuck them in the fridge to defrost overnight. The following evening, I pulled them out, heated them in hot water and opened the tubs like I always do, except the snakes went BALLISTIC. Atlas was striking at me, at the light fixture, at the tongs, just WAY over excited. Usually I put the rat in his tub after KC has started eating so he has time to smell the rodents and work up an appetite, but he couldn't wait last night!!! I popped open the corner of the tub and he popped his head out of the hide and was striking at the air like mad before I had a chance to open KC's tub. When I finally got the mouse in to KC's tub, he did the same thing, striking like mad.


Anyway, I was wondering if this had something to do with the way I defrosted the rodents and if anyone has ever experienced this. I must say that I am thrilled with Atlas' feeding response because although he has taken all meals for me except when in shed, it has always been a slow, time consuming process since he wouldn't strike unless the rat moved, but he wouldn't approach if it was moving.

[Skittles1101]

I have noticed in my experience that if the rodents are defrosted slowly and then heated up I get better feeding responses. Not knowing if they correlate or the reason behind it, but it's something I've noticed. I have now chosen to slowly defrost indefinitely since I have a higher chance of them eating when I do it seems.

[dr del]

Hi,

It's possible the rat eater liked the smell of mouse on it and vica versa.

It's possible being defrosted slowly for so long they decomposed a little more than your normal method and they preffered the smell.

It's possible they get cooked slightly if your water is a bit hot when you normallly defrost them and they aren't keen on it.

I get the best feeding responce if I defrost on a low set heatmat in the same room as them for 3-6 hours and then blast the head with a hairdrier.

I now need to wear gloves to open the drawers of the rack.

Scaley little teeth missiles.


dr del

[weird_science04]

Maybe the smell of rat scent was more intense as it took longer to defrost allowing the scent to just really fill the bag you had them in. I defrost my larger rats (large, jumbo, and extra jumbo) inside the refrigerator for 1 - 2 days because they take SOOOO long to heat up just putting them in water. So, I want them to be defrosted completely first, then I heat them up. It makes me feel better knowing there is no possible way for the snakes to get a rat with anything frozen inside it.

Star

[kitedemon]

Hi,


Scaley little teeth missiles.


dr del

That is hilarious! I almost always fridge de thaw and then like del use a heating pad to warm them to about 90º and hit the head with a hair dryer.