A story of a terrifying first feeding, with a heroine and a happy ending.

[Chakajo]

@tonkatoyman - Yes, he swallowed head first. I can't believe I forgot to mention that.

@all others - The medium rat was smaller than the thickest portion of the snake. Like I said before, as soon as that damn arm was down, the rest of it was down in less than two minutes. I think he can easily handle the size of the prey. However, now that I know I shouldn't feed med. rats to adults anyway, I'll stick to small rats.

[Evenstar]

I have never purchased frozen feeders from Petco or Petsmart, but I have heard that sometimes the quality is really bad. Perhaps there was something like freezer burn that caused the leg to be stiff and unable to just fold back like they usually do.

This is exactly what I was thinking. I have fed f/t from petsmart and you need to be careful that the quality is up to par. If the mouse/rat was not frozen AS SOON AS IT DIED, then there is a chance that rigor has already set in. Remember that that can happen in a remarkably short time in such a small animal. They'll start to stiffen within an hour. If a large company euthanizes many at a time, it might be awhile before they get to the freezing part. If the rodent is already experiencing rigor, it's not fresh enough for your snake, imo. Once the rodent is thawed, it should be real soft and floppy and all limbs should move readily. Buy your rodents from a reputable breeder - it'll be cheaper too!

Glad your snake is ok - hurray for your wife! I'm not sure my hubby could have done that, lol....

[Chakajo]

This is exactly what I was thinking. I have fed f/t from petsmart and you need to be careful that the quality is up to par. If the mouse/rat was not frozen AS SOON AS IT DIED, then there is a chance that rigor has already set in. Remember that that can happen in a remarkably short time in such a small animal. They'll start to stiffen within an hour. If a large company euthanizes many at a time, it might be awhile before they get to the freezing part. If the rodent is already experiencing rigor, it's not fresh enough for your snake, imo. Once the rodent is thawed, it should be real soft and floppy and all limbs should move readily. Buy your rodents from a reputable breeder - it'll be cheaper too!

Glad your snake is ok - hurray for your wife! I'm not sure my hubby could have done that, lol....

THIS sounds like the most likely explanation. Somehow I never learn to stop expecting quality anything, from anyone. Where should we order from? How exactly, in 105 degree temps, am I supposed to get a frozen package to my freezer before it starts to thaw?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I have a few BPs that take large rats. One being a freakishly large male. It takes a bit longer to get it down but I have never had any hang-ups like that. I would just give slightly smaller rats from now on. I have noticed that some snakes never quite get the hang of swallowing their food the right way. I have a fire that cant swallow her rat unless I pull the tub all the way out. Every time she must use the top edge of the tub to rub against to get it down. No matter how small the rat is.

[Evenstar]

THIS sounds like the most likely explanation. Somehow I never learn to stop expecting quality anything, from anyone. Where should we order from? How exactly, in 105 degree temps, am I supposed to get a frozen package to my freezer before it starts to thaw?

Well, here is the website where I order from. They are in MI but they ship nationwide. I'm sure there are other reputable rodent farms out there, but I have been extremely happy with the quality here and they are very nice and professional. www.perfectpet.net

If you are shipping the rodents, they should arrive on dry ice. If there is no ice left in the package once it arrives at your door, that does not mean the rodents are thawed yet - such is the nature of dry ice.

PLUS, a little partial thawing is not the problem. The problem is the length of time that passes between death and initial freezing - that's the part that should happen immediately. If the rodents have not completely thawed before getting into your freezer, they should be perfectly fine. The best way to preserve is actually at above-freezing temps. Deterioration halts at 33* farenheit which is above freezing.

[WakoNako]

I have had something similar to this happen, just last week.
I was feeding a f/t mouse weanling and one of the front legs was broken, i didn't think anything of it, but it was visibly bent the wrong way and even when thawed still stuck out.
Herbert struggled with it for about 20 minutes, stuck in the corner of his mouth. He kinda fell to the side, whether by accident or on purpose idk, but he hit the mouse leg and it popped into his mouth.
Now I check that the legs are plyable before feeding. I'm sure the mouse breeder didnt mean to break the leg, it just happened when he put it in the bag with the other 49 and then froze them.

[mpkeelee]

ya it sounds like rigor. either the people let it sit too long before freesing or u thawed and let it get cool so rigor set in. but as long as they got it down dont worry