Defrosting directly in water or ziplock?

Which method do you use to defrost rats?

I prefer ziplock so it keeps the feeders dry and less chance of substrate sticking to the fur. I have heard some bps preferring it wet while others won't even touch it unless it's dry.

Same as MissterDog :).

Everything directly in the water - rabbits, rats, mice, quail, they all get wet. I have a large cooler I use. Feeders go in, add warm water, drain and refill as needed.

Also it's a benefit if your snake will eat a wet feeder as it helps keep the snake hydrated.

I use Ziplocs in water but I use the sandwich bags which means sometimes they still get wet but neither snake seems to mind wet or dry...

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I just toss mine in the water. The snakes don't care.

I buy in bulk. I put them All in individual ziplock bags, into a freezer bag. Each week I take one out let it defrost at room temp for 4-6hours (usually while running errands). Then I put the entire bag into hot water for a few min(10-20min) and then feed. Her rat magically appears though since she is out of her enclosure while this is happening lol. Shhh don't tell he i put the rat in there...it will spoil the magic!

Wet in hot water, then heated with dryer. Seeing how wet mine will take it, hoping he'll eventually take it straight out of the room temp water with a heated head. Been trying it less and less to see what his tolerance level is.

I go directly into the water. My Kingsnake and hognose don't seem to care either way, but my BP won't eat it dry.
I prefer wet anyway, for hydration.

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Originally Posted by highqualityballz

Which method do you use to defrost rats?

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I defrost directly in cold water for two hours outside the tank. I then change the cold water to hot tap water for 20 minutes. Again outside of tub. When I go back in she is in a frenzy from the smell. Before I feed her I get fresh hot water give a thirty second dip. I take it out with tongs wet. She grabbed the rat last time within 2 seconds. :)

That's the way the breeder started her out and it's made my life pretty easy for feeding. :)

Mine won't take them wet so I thaw in zip locks.


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I separate out my rats into individual ziploc baggies and keep them in the freezer. When it is ready to defrost, I place the bag with the rodent in the fridge the night before. The day of I take the bag out and put it (the closed bag with the rat) in hot tap water for 30 minutes to warm it up. This limits the amount of handling and prevents the rat from getting soaked. It makes cleanup a breeze and works just fine to heat up a frozen rat.

Zip lock

As you can see, you're going to get varied answers. I say do what works for the animal.

I used to defrost right in the water for my corn snake, but switched to using Ziploc bags (doubled up) when someone pointed out that putting them right in the water would rinse away some of the smell and might make it less palatable to the snake.