He can never find the head first try!

Almost every time I feed vegeta he tries to eat the mouse sideways, when he doesn't succeed (clearly) he goes for the head or the butt and it's pretty well 50/50 or whatever side is closer at that point

This is very common, and nothing to worry about. As they get older and graduate to larger prey items they usually quit trying to start in the middle. Some take longer to figure it out than others.

Thanks, Iv heard about taking a blow dryer and heating up the head before feeding but I wanted to check it out here before I tried anything

People usually heat the head up with a blow dryer to trigger a feeding response. Sounds like your snake is striking just fine but having some confusion about where to start eating. Like I said, he'll get over that in time.

Meanwhile, there's nothing wrong with using a hair dryer to warm up a F/T before presenting it to your snake. Just make sure it's not too warm. 100ish degrees seems to work for me.

I run the hot water for about five minutes, then put the mouse in a ziplock back And submerge it in a bowl, I'll let the water get Luke warm then I'll put more hot water in it after doing that the mouse is completely thawed I honestly never new they could be to hot!!

Ziplock bag* sorry

That is the same method I use to thaw.

Someone posted a while back that a rat's natural body temp is around 105 degrees. I haven't researched it, but that sounds about right.

I would be warry about anything over 110ish degrees.

Is there a difference from putting the rat directly into the hot water to thaw rather than putting the rat in a bag then into the hot water to thaw? I currently just put the rat into hot water without putting it into a bag.

Iv heard that putting them directly in the water masks the scent and they sometimes won't strike at it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by viper8940

Is there a difference from putting the rat directly into the hot water to thaw rather than putting the rat in a bag then into the hot water to thaw? I currently just put the rat into hot water without putting it into a bag.

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The difference for me is that I can easily throw out a ZipLock bag. My sink would be harder to toss out after each use...

Ziploc bags definately more sanitary. Also some snakes don't like them wet. And btw, blow dryer on head is a-ok. :). My male mojave took one down butt first the other day. I had heard about that, but was my first time seeing it. Crazy little guy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by viper8940

Is there a difference from putting the rat directly into the hot water to thaw rather than putting the rat in a bag then into the hot water to thaw? I currently just put the rat into hot water without putting it into a bag.

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I like the mouse dry as substrate does not as easily stick to a dry mouse verses a wet mouse.