How Many Times Can Rats Be Thawed & Re-Frozen?

How many times would you guys say that it's alright to thaw and re-freeze frozen rats when snakes refuse to eat?

This question is asked a lot. Usually you can get away with refreezing once. If the rat is at or above room temperature for too long though you should get rid of it.

We just had this conversation. :gj:

Here's a link: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=1#post2511067

I personally wouldn't refreeze anything, but I know that people have done it once. A feeder isn't worth the loss of an animal to me, so that's why I won't refreeze.

Also how long was it thawed for, because it can and will begin to decompose.

Whether safe or not, I don't risk it. I have one that's sort of turned into a picky eater so these days I try to feed him first and if he isn't feeling it, someone else gets it. It's a system that works for me.

Na for a couple of dollars it's surely not worth the risk . I've never even considered it but then again I have a Burm / Retic / Boas etc that will eat any leftovers ...


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I wouldn't refreeze and feed to a snake personally as generally feeders are heated up to bacterial growth temps in order to offer. I have enough carnivores here nothing goes to waste though.

Once a feeder is thawed the decomposition process resume back so really not the best idea IMO, there is a reason why people buying rodents that have thawed during shipping send them back.

And even if the animal eats it and keep it down the more you thaw and re-refreeze the more you will be at risk for an exploding prey (again decomposition changing the tissue)

Ultimately your choice personally if it has been thawed it's either snake food or wildlife food.

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To add to this question... how long can you have the rodents frozen for? Because, the longer you can freeze, I guess the larger quantity you can buy in, to store for awhile. And, I'm guessing, cheaper.

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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

To add to this question... how long can you have the rodents frozen for? Because, the longer you can freeze, I guess the larger quantity you can buy in, to store for awhile. And, I'm guessing, cheaper.

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I think different people have different opinions for this, but I've stocked mine for up to a year, and the snakes were fine with eating them.