Exploding rat during feeding...

While feeding our python, it struck the rat, squeezed, and then exploded.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...0_221556_2.jpg

Is this normal?

I've had a couple of those over the years but it's always been when one or more got too hot in the thawing process ... I put mine on a radiator occasional if I'm rushing ...


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I've never had this happen, but heard on multiple accounts that it happens if you thawed the rat too hot too fast.

rats that get too hot as stated above, also if they came out of a vacuum sealed bag and heated quickly that's a guaranteed occurrence lol.

I've never had a bloody or exploding rat with doing fresh kill and I'm currently feeding 100+ rodents a month. I'm not a fan of frozen thawed but I've heard that it happens from time to time.

I let mine thaw all day and then put it in hot water for a few right before I feed, so far no issues 🤞🏼


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You can use a hairdryer instead of dipping in HOT water .. still gets just as warm but you dint wash all the smell away ...

Oh, maybe that's why he doesn't seem to grab it right away, how long does it take to get it warm using the hairdryer?


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Originally Posted by Finn0208

Oh, maybe that's why he doesn't seem to grab it right away, how long does it take to get it warm using the hairdryer?

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for the head i heat for about 10 seconds, for the whole body i go for 30 seconds.

Usually it happens when the rat is thawed to rapidly or has been thawed and frozen several times.

Eww, I didn't think it was good to thaw one out and then refreeze it? Am I correct in thinking that? It does gripe my ass when I thaw one and he chooses not to eat that week, that means I have to throw it away [emoji35]


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I have never had a health problem with refreezing but you have to use the same precautions you would with any raw meat. If you think it may be bad toss it. Exploding rats are always a possibility when feeding FT. I have even had a live rat explode due to a bad strike and a super "violent" constriction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Finn0208

Eww, I didn't think it was good to thaw one out and then refreeze it? Am I correct in thinking that? It does gripe my ass when I thaw one and he chooses not to eat that week, that means I have to throw it away [emoji35]

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depending on how it was thawed and how long it was set out, you CAN refreeze a feeder but it's not really recommended. i've had to refreeze a few feeders when i was running low before.