feeding f/t

i did some looking around on here and the internet and came up with this strategy for feeding f/t.

1) ALWAYS make sure snake is NOT in shed before thawing out a rat.
2) place 1 frozen rat in a sandwich bag, close it and place this in a tupperware container filled with hot tap water. set aside. check on it in 1 1/2 hours.
3) if the rat is completely thawed out either
a) place it in snake's cage overnight & check on it the next morning to see if the snake ate it or
b) imitate a rat moving around to stimulate a feeding response.
4) if snake does not eat, throw the thawed rat away and wait until the next week. repeat steps 1-3.

that's all i got. i was looking for a sticky on the preparation and offering techniques for f/t prey but this was what i was able to come up with.

Sounds good to me :)

With f/t, it completely depends on the person and the snake. I've got snakes that will only eat if I move the rat around, and I've got snakes that won't touch it until it's been sitting in the cage for a few hours. I personally prefer to leave rats out on the counter to thaw gradually (4 hours for mice/sm rats, 12 hours for larger rats), then I warm the core temp in warm water for 20min, then I heat the skin temp to 90* or so with a hair dryer.

Again, it depends on your snake. I've got snakes that will eat throughout their shed cycle.

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Originally Posted by Crazy4Herps

With f/t, it completely depends on the person and the snake. I've got snakes that will only eat if I move the rat around, and I've got snakes that won't touch it until it's been sitting in the cage for a few hours. I personally prefer to leave rats out on the counter to thaw gradually (4 hours for mice/sm rats, 12 hours for larger rats), then I warm the core temp in warm water for 20min, then I heat the skin temp to 90* or so with a hair dryer.

Again, it depends on your snake. I've got snakes that will eat throughout their shed cycle.

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Aye Kya will eat while shes in shed no problem

well, when i tried to feed my girl on the 19th it didnt go well and it wasnt until that night while she was out while i was doing some cleaning in her cage, we noticed her eyes were a hazy blueish-silver color. she was in shed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

i did some looking around on here and the internet and came up with this strategy for feeding f/t.

1) ALWAYS make sure snake is NOT in shed before thawing out a rat.
2) place 1 frozen rat in a sandwich bag, close it and place this in a tupperware container filled with hot tap water. set aside. check on it in 1 1/2 hours.
3) if the rat is completely thawed out either
a) place it in snake's cage overnight & check on it the next morning to see if the snake ate it or
b) imitate a rat moving around to stimulate a feeding response.
4) if snake does not eat, throw the thawed rat away and wait until the next week. repeat steps 1-3.

that's all i got. i was looking for a sticky on the preparation and offering techniques for f/t prey but this was what i was able to come up with.

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Sounds like a solid start. You'll find ways to tweak this as you go. Different tricks work for different snakes. I have some that would probably try to eat it frozen...While others need to have the head of the rodent warmed with a hair dryer.