Do you dangle or drop?

[vangarret2000]

No, I'm just annoyed at all the f/t rats I've thrown away.

Yeah that can get pricey. My BP still eats mice so it only costs me $1.39 a week to feed him, but I got a CCP a couple weeks ago and I got to feed her rats. I was expecting them to be mabey $3, but they are $5-$6 depenging on where you buy them up here.

I know having to toss them is a waste, but think about it this way, if she was eatting you would be usuing the same amount either way.

I have never done it but I have heard that if the snake doesn't eat in a few minutes (5-10 I think) you can refreeze the prey and try to use it again a different time. I am not sure if this is truely ok but I do know some snake owners that do it. Again I don't keep them. I can usually tell if my BP is going to eat or not, so if she looks hungry I feed her if not i don't.

[mrshawt]

Too late now haha. Does anyone know if refreezing is safe?

See, she's a trickster. I started pre-scenting the room, and she starts moving around. But then when I put it in, nothin.

[eMonk]

refreezing is safe.

some even recommend thawing then refreezing then thawing again before each feed. It gets more of the good smelling juices out that makes them go...

[mrshawt]

Delicious. Haha, thanks!

[dr del]

Hi,

refreezing is safe.

some even recommend thawing then refreezing then thawing again before each feed. It gets more of the good smelling juices out that makes them go...

That really isn't a good guideline.

Every time you freeze the food it causes damage - not to mention the fact that while it is defrosted normal decomposition and bacteria growth continue as normal.

Every time it goes through the cycle it increases the chance of the animal splitting open during feeding. Not to mention the "good smelling juices" you are talking about are from the animal decomposing - and if that process gets too far along then it becomes a race between the animals digestion and the prey item rotting in its stomach and leading to a regurge (if you're lucky ).

A lot of it will depend on how the people defrost the prey and how long they let it sit to pre-scent etc so a blanket statement that it is ok just doesn't sit well.

If you defrost quickly but avoid cooking the animal (which also weakens the body ) pre-scent for a short time and have not left the prey in overnight (or a long time in general ) then you are probably ok to refreeze it once - but remember to mark it as previously defrosted so you don't try it again.

There are definately snakes that prefer smellier prey but when you are feeding them a rodent that is on the whiffier side of fresh you should probably pay even more attention to the temps in their tank to avoid digestion problems.

Just my 2c.


dr del

[Shadera]

I use feeding tongs, and do the dead rat zombie dance for them. My feeders are raised in the same room, so I don't bother to prescent.

[SoundUnsleep]

I don't pre-scent and all my snakes are fed in feeding racks/boxes.
Six of mine need the added entertainment with the meal: The zombie rat dance that comes with the >eek-eek< noises.
All others: I dangle when I have the chance to do that, but usually I just get enough time to get the tongs back out before they can think about, whether or not those five "pinkies" holding the tongs taste any better than what they've got already.

[hud556]

I do the zombie dance... its the only thing that works for me but every snake is different

[Lolo76]

My BPs are very good eaters, so I usually just toss the suckers in... they both strike within a minute, although Delilah usually waits for it to approach her. And the last time I fed Toby he was a little sleepy, so I bopped him on the nose (with the mouse) to get his attention. I don't bother pre-scenting since I feed live, but I'll usually let them catch a sniff from the mouse's box. I'm hoping to get them on F/T in the near future, and then I'll pre-scent for a half-hour before offering it.

[mpenny]

If you aer feeding it rats try a large mouse for a change or visa versa. If that doesn't work try a african soft fur or a gerbil. Then after they take one of those it might go back to eating rats.
Marty