Rookie feeding mistake

[TheSquigglyExplorer]

So this isn't really that big of a thing or whatever, like the title says, just a rookie mistake. I even find it kinda humorous because I have definitely been warned. Several times. Tonight I finally really got bitten by my itty bitty snek. Instead of just letting her food thaw out then putting it in there kinda cold, I thawed it in really hot water to give it a little heat. Figured she'd like that more and I was finally down to just one fuzzy so I could do that without warming too many. Weeeeeeell... She must have been VERY hungry (fuzzies are too small so I knew she was but still) because the second that thing touched the bottom of her tank she struck it, missed, and got a mouth full of my thumb.

I had to step back and laugh at myself and my boyfriend thought I was crazy, but it wasn't her fault at all and I KNEW better than to try and put my whole hand + food in the tank where she could easily come after it. So I was basically asking for it, lol. The only thing is though, we scared each other so bad she's not sure if she wants to eat the mouse now. I feel super bad too because I know she's hungry and really wants to eat it, but she's scared my hand will be in the way again. At least that's how I think it's going.

Like I said, I'm not upset. I'm actually kind of glad it happened so I'm a lot less terrified of her biting me than I was before, but I am sad that she's leery of coming out to eat it now... Please tell me one of you have done this and can comfort me that she'll relax soon and come out to eat, I really hope my dumb choice didn't totally ruin this meal for her when she started out so enthusiastic about it. She's been a perfect doll about eating up until this point


Edit - A little update, she still seems VERY interested in it. Smelling it, tongue flicking, all that. She just wont eat it.

[Trogdorpheus]

Am I reading it correctly that you normally just let your rodents thaw out in air, and put them in the tank cold?

You should always heat them...

That said, just leave it in there overnight. Might be just spooked from your little bite encounter. Or you could take it out and warm it back up.

[EL-Ziggy]

I would reheat the prey item and try her again. If she doesn't strike and take it just leave it overnight. If its there in the morning discard it and try again on the next scheduled feeding day. One missed meal isn't a problem. I was concerned when you said you had previously served her food to her cold. I wouldn't recommend doing that. Make sure the prey item is completely thawed and serve em hot. I usually thaw the feeders inside a ziploc bag in a bowl of warm water and then I superheat them with a hair dryer to about 100F before feeding. This has worked well for me. Best wishes with your girl.

[Fraido]

Definitely heat up the food! You shouldn't have to warm up a few at a time when you do it. I don't really understand why you do?

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[TheSquigglyExplorer]

Well, I didn't really have a means to put them in the tank heated since there were several in one pouch and I haven't restocked ziplocks in a while (school books are a gross expense). So I was putting paper towels in really hot water, then wrapping the food in those and putting it in a cup to thaw (lid over the cup to try and retain heat). It kept them from being absolutely frigid but it did take a lot longer to make sure they weren't freezing or worse still frozen in the middle. By kinda cold I just ment room temperature-ish instead of a little hotter. To put any worries to rest~ now that I'm out of that pack of food I'll be buying individually wrapped and thawing in very hot water so that they're properly prepared for her. Thank you for the kind advice though! I really appreciate help and insight with her, she deserves the best care ^.^

Since she's still got her nose pretty much touching the mouse, I'm assuming safely getting it out of the tank is out of the question? So I guess I'll just leave it be and see where it goes from there. I'm afraid I would just make the situation worse by continually disturbing her, hehe.

Edit - Wow you guys are fast! Thank you so much

[TheSquigglyExplorer]

Sorry for the double post but I absolutely had to thank you guys! When she quit showing interest I was able to get it out of the tank easily without her being disturbed (she went into her hide) so as suggested I reheated it and she struck it immediately! She is now happily munching away. Thank you for the tips and advice, I'm glad I gave heating it back up another try. You guys are total lifesavers for someone who's just starting out

[Fraido]

I just pull the rats apart, it's not like limbs are ripping off, shouldn't you have been able to do that? I just grab one, put it in some piping hot water for a little bit then offer. Where do you buy individually wrapped frozen rats? Lol

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[TheSquigglyExplorer]

Petco! They sell tons of sizes of snake chow in individually wrapped, and packs of three. A pack of three fuzzies was a gift, but I have definitely learned that individual wrapping makes everything better.

Also to those who might be worried, I'd never feed my snake anything cold or partially frozen. "Kinda cold" was poor phrasing on my part, I really should have said "room temp" and my house stays a solid 75 and sometimes 78 on the warmer days. So while not an ideal warm up, her food has definitely still been digestible and she has been defecating regularly two to three days after each meal. So sorry to cause any concern, and thank you again for the very kind advice. It got my little girl to eat with enthusiasm! The paper towel and cup trick was told to me by an old reptile keeper at the wildlife center I volunteer at, since I can get squeamish if I have to mess around in 'mouse soup' it was an easy means of getting them to a decent temp and giving me just enough time to get proper arrangements in order while at the same time not compromising my snakes health.

[Fraido]

Well glad it's all good!

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[LittleTreeGuy]

Yea, you definitely want to offer warm prey... the warmer the better. I've seen videos of some guys actually just putting the mouse or prey into a glass of hot water for a few minutes before offering. His snakes all fed very well with that method, but they're getting a little water with their dinner. IF you can't thaw in plastic bags, maybe give that a try for warming right before feeding.