refreezing f/t rat

Hey all, looks like my bp was more interested in escaping her food box than in eating tonight, so I refroze the rat I offered her. Is it safe to rethaw it again? I've never had to do this before, so I was just wondering if any of you have.

I would think one time would be ok. I've heard of people doing this, but never done it myself. I would definitely make sure you got as much air out of the bag as is possible to prevent as much decay from happening.

i thought this was a no no. and since we're only talking about a couple bucks wasted here, i would think it would be better to be safe than sorry.

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Originally Posted by led4urhead

I would think one time would be ok. I've heard of people doing this, but never done it myself. I would definitely make sure you got as much air out of the bag as is possible to prevent as much decay from happening.

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It's okay to do once - bey0ond htat I don't know. I've never refroze mine more than once. However, you shouldn't refreeze if it was sitting in the cage for awhile...like overnight, couple of hours, etc. I personally wouldn't refreeze if it's been more than 1 hour. Some snakes actaully have a better feeding response to refrozen rodents - guess they like the pungent smell?

Weve done it a few times,its not a common thing but overall it doesnt hurt anything,for those that think nothing of tossing a $2 feeder,would you mind sending me $2 ??
Its only $2 right ?? LOL!!
Drop me a PM and I`ll get you my address or would pay-pal work better for you ?

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Hey all, looks like my bp was more interested in escaping her food box than in eating tonight, so I refroze the rat I offered her. Is it safe to rethaw it again? I've never had to do this before, so I was just wondering if any of you have.

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i wouldnt do it. the last 3 rats i did that with, the stomach gave out on all of them. other then that, theres no prolem with it

um yeah that stomach thing happened to me a couple feedings ago. The store gave me another free one, but that was NASTY...all its insides like came out.

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Originally Posted by KraZeKelly

Weve done it a few times,its not a common thing but overall it doesnt hurt anything,for those that think nothing of tossing a $2 feeder,would you mind sending me $2 ??
Its only $2 right ?? LOL!!
Drop me a PM and I`ll get you my address or would pay-pal work better for you ?

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Hey all, looks like my bp was more interested in escaping her food box than in eating tonight, so I refroze the rat I offered her. Is it safe to rethaw it again? I've never had to do this before, so I was just wondering if any of you have.

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I'll take two dollars too, please. :oops:

i was merely stating that i felt ensuring my snakes health was more important than two dollars, not that two dollars is easy for me to toss away.
and if i am wrong on the matter of refreezing than i stand corrected. i only stated it because i know it is not good for people to refreeze meat products, granted herps aren't people, but there are certain standards i try to keep up with my animals as well, just incase.

I understand where you're coming from. :) I think it is different with these guys, especially when you consider snakes have been known to eat dead animals in the wild and the smell of refrozen rodents does seem to entice some to eat in captivity. I don't think they're quite as picky and I bet it's okay. Again, I only do it if the rodent has been unthawed for less than an hour.

It should be understood that when you thaw out a rodent bacteria begins to build and grow instantly. It is not particularly harmful to the snake most times to eat a 2 time frozen rodent but the bacteria levels will be considerably higher after the second defrosting because the tissues have allready started to break down ... "the reason the skin easily gives out" bottom line , your takeing more of a risk of regurge and bacterial problems with your animal by feeding not to mention an increased risk of getting a healthy batch of salmonella going in your snake

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Originally Posted by RobertCoombs

It should be understood that when you thaw out a rodent bacteria begins to build and grow instantly. It is not particularly harmful to the snake most times to eat a 2 time frozen rodent but the bacteria levels will be considerably higher after the second defrosting because the tissues have allready started to break down ... "the reason the skin easily gives out" bottom line , your takeing more of a risk of regurge and bacterial problems with your animal by feeding not to mention an increased risk of getting a healthy batch of salmonella going in your snake

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i somewhat agree but also think that snakes are oppertunist eaters....therefore, they can consume large amounts of bacteria with no ill effects. i do refreeze mine once. only if it hasn't been out long. i know 2 bucks doesn't sound like much, but if you have alot of snakes to feed and they all don't feel like eating that day or you are trying to switch them over from live or p/k , it adds up. i don't see a problem with refreezing, (only once) as long as the mice or rats don't get too gamey.

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um yeah that stomach thing happened to me a couple feedings ago. The store gave me another free one, but that was NASTY...all its insides like came out.

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Ugh, haven't had that happen yet-dont' look forward to it either! Out of curiosity how are you guys thawing and heating? I just let it sit out for a while and get room temp then stick the bag in hot water. I also only give about 20 minutes worth of rat dance till I give up. Tried leaving one overnight once, but it Xaero wouldn't eat it and it just reeked in the morning so I gave up that tactic. I'll refreeze mine once and then pitch it until my red tail grows to a size where they both take the same size food. Then I'll just try the bp first and if he doesn't want it I know Floyd will, making refreezing no longer a issue for me. Everybody go out and get a red tail!

My old method:
Take rodents from freezer, place in a ziploc, sit ziploc in bowl of warm/hot water and change the water as often as needed until mouse is 'mushy' to the touch. Then I lay the rodents on top of my bps light fixture for added warmth (I try to get to at least 98 degrees since that's the normal body temp of a mouse).


New method:
The night before feeding I take rodents out of freezer and sit in the fridge (in covered bowl). When I get home from work the next day I sit the bowl out (lid off) to get to room temp while I walk the dog, check the mail, etc. Then I throw on the light fixture as above. I like this way better because I'm not sitting around waiting or changing water. It takes less time to warm up as well, and it may be a coincidence but it seems I'm getting better feeding responses with this new method.

that makes for less chance of the stomach giving out too because you are guaranteed that you aren't heating it up too quickly or too much like you could be with the hot water method.

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Originally Posted by Tigergenesis

New method:
The night before feeding I take rodents out of freezer and sit in the fridge (in covered bowl). When I get home from work the next day I sit the bowl out (lid off) to get to room temp while I walk the dog, check the mail, etc. Then I throw on the light fixture as above. I like this way better because I'm not sitting around waiting or changing water. It takes less time to warm up as well, and it may be a coincidence but it seems I'm getting better feeding responses with this new method.

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Thx for the tip Tigergenesis. I'm going to have to try that one out.

No prob - let me know how it works for you. :)

I have 50 plus snakes in my keep so finding someone to eat an allready thawed rodent isnt very hard I also breed my own rodents so I know they are the very best quality possible (God only knows how many times the pet shop has tried to feed the frozen ones you just bought)
I thaw mine simply by running the hottest tap water I can in to a 50 gallon rubbermaid and toss in what I need Then I go do the snake chores cleaning and changeing water by the time I am finnished with that the rodents are usually ready to go
BTW by snakes being opportunistic feeders doesent mean they naturally eat carrion, it means they take any opportunity they can to catch a live prey item, there are very few snakes that take to eating allready dead prey in the wild

um hey how exactly do u thaw it on the light fixture? i mean do u put it under the light? or on the side of the light fixture?

i had that stomach thing happen too it IS gross. and my bp decided to drag it with his mouth all around the enclosure and then throw it in his water bowl. mmm, that was a fun MAJOR cling up.

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Originally Posted by normballpython2

um hey how exactly do you thaw it on the light fixture? i mean do you put it under the light? or on the side of the light fixture?

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I have a strip light fixture so I lay a paper towel on top of it and then lay the rodents on top of that. Or you can put the rodents under the light if you have one of those dome/basking type fixture that don't allow for you to lay them flat on top.