Can I leave a (F/T) feeder in the cage for later?

[Chocolate Muffin's]

Does anyone know or have a suggestion about how long to allow a F/T feeder to remain in the enclosure if not immediately eaten?

Nico gobbled down one large rat tonight, but began to shed before I could feed her the second one.

I know's she's hungry. Is it safe to leave it overnight or will it spoil? She always eats in shed, so that's never been a problem, just not during the actual shed process.

I know it seems like a dumb question, but I thought I read on the forum that 24 hours was a safe amount of time. I wouldn't want to introduce any toxic bacteria into her system.

[RichsBallPythons]

Can be left over night when using f/t. Pre killed i dont recommend leaving over night as rigamortis sets in and so does the dead smell as well.

[pitoon]

Does anyone know or have a suggestion about how long to allow a F/T feeder to remain in the enclosure if not immediately eaten?

Nico gobbled down one large rat tonight, but began to shed before I could feed her the second one.

I know's she's hungry. Is it safe to leave it overnight or will it spoil? She always eats in shed, so that's never been a problem, just not during the actual shed process.

I know it seems like a dumb question, but I thought I read on the forum that 24 hours was a safe amount of time. I wouldn't want to introduce any toxic bacteria into her system.

you can leave either a thawed or pre killed feeder over night with no problems, but there are some things you will need to consider beforehand.....

yes, rigamortis will set in if the PK animal is not eaten soon after it's been introduced into the tub. however it will soon subside once it has finished it's process and the muscles begin to deteriorate.

do not leave the feeder (thawed or PK) on the hot zone of the tub. this will cause the feeders to decompose faster. they will bloat extremely fast and this bloating coincides with that (dead animal) smell. once you see any signs of bloating....toss the feeder. this is extremely bad, if the snake eats a bloated feeder it could kill it.

Pitoon

[Chocolate Muffin's]

you can leave either a thawed or pre killed feeder over night with no problems, but there are some things you will need to consider beforehand.....

yes, rigamortis will set in if the PK animal is not eaten soon after it's been introduced into the tub. however it will soon subside once it has finished it's process and the muscles begin to deteriorate.

do not leave the feeder (thawed or PK) on the hot zone of the tub. this will cause the feeders to decompose faster. they will bloat extremely fast and this bloating coincides with that (dead animal) smell. once you see any signs of bloating....toss the feeder. this is extremely bad, if the snake eats a bloated feeder it could kill it.

Pitoon

Oh really? Thank you very much for that information. I didn't realize that. I took the feeder out and refroze it. If she rejects it a second time I'll toss it. That should be safe right? + Rep for your response, I didn't realize that last part.

[pitoon]

Oh really? Thank you very much for that information. I didn't realize that. I took the feeder out and refroze it. If she rejects it a second time I'll toss it. That should be safe right? + Rep for your response, I didn't realize that last part.

i have thawed, refreezed, and thawed again. i've had animals eaten these thawed out (twice) feeders with no ill affects. however the second go around there may be some slight issues......

when you refreeze and thaw the tissue weakens even more....which usually results to exploding stomachs in mice. since rats have a bit more thicker skin it doesn't happen that often, but the possibility is always there.

also on the second go around of thawing there's always that slight stench of "death smell" which some people might not be able to handle.

just remember if you notice any bloating....toss the feeder. once the bloating starts it will continue until the gas i released some how....either by the mouth, anal cavity, or by rupture.

bad smell is doable.....bloating is not.


Pitoon

[Chocolate Muffin's]

i have thawed, refreezed, and thawed again. i've had animals eaten these thawed out (twice) feeders with no ill affects. however the second go around there may be some slight issues......

when you refreeze and thaw the tissue weakens even more....which usually results to exploding stomachs in mice. since rats have a bit more thicker skin it doesn't happen that often, but the possibility is always there.

also on the second go around of thawing there's always that slight stench of "death smell" which some people might not be able to handle.

just remember if you notice any bloating....toss the feeder. once the bloating starts it will continue until the gas i released some how....either by the mouth, anal cavity, or by rupture.

bad smell is doable.....bloating is not.


Pitoon

You know, now that you mention it, I might throw the feeder away then. Your point is valid. The last feeder I froze was PK. That's probably why when I thawed it, I didn't run into any of these issues, because its was killed and then frozen. When I thawed it, it thawed beautioful (you know what I mean). I'm concerend now, because this feeder was already frozen, then thwed, and to use it it would have to be re thawed. I think I'm gonna dump it. I definately don't want the dead animal smell, and I never want to risk making either one of my precious babies sick, I wouldn't be able to live with my self. I will chalk is up as a $5 loss, and buy another feeder the next meal time.

I really, really appreciate your help -I had no idea.