I need tips on unthawing rats.

[Rbeckwood1]

Hey, I'm switching over to frozen thawed because I know it's generally healthier for snakes. My ball python has never given me a problem when it's time to eat. Anyways I'm new to being a snake owner but I know pretty much everything there is to know. I love this website I spend a lot of time on here. I will just look at you guys problems and the responses you guys get just so I can continue to learn and to be aware of safe hazardous or things I can improve on. So I've done plenty of research on Unthawing rate but I can't seem to get a good clear understanding. Can you guys list the steps that you go through when it's time to unthaw your snakes meal. I would really appreciate anyone who takes their time to read this and respond.

[Oxylepy]

I pull the rats out, let them sit for about 8 hours to heat to room temperature (depends on the size of the rat), then I have a heat lamp I turn on to warm their heads to about 100 degrees and then use hemostats holding the tail to offer them to the bp.

[butterballpython]

Well, I got my first snakes this summer and found out how to thaw rats the right way after having one explode. I wanted to make sure the rat was well thawed and went overboard. An exploded rat smells absolutely horrible. If you're interested, you can read the thread here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...hlight=brickle And once I stopped overheating the rats, my champagne started eating, too.

[BMorrison]

I pull them out of the freezer put them in airtight bags after weighing them (I keep close records) put them in the hottest water that comes out of the faucet for on average 20 minutes take them out of the bag, dry them off, put them on a paper plate and heat them up on low high heat with a hair dryer. I get the body to about 85 or so with the hairdryer and the head about 125 for the heat signature then I open the tubs stick the head in the hide and close the tubs.


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[Oxylepy]

Oh, never refreeze and thaw the rat to offer again later. I freeze all uneaten animals before throwing them out, but a refrozen and thawed rat is more likely to burst open.

[jbzapanda]

I usually run mine in room temp water until it defrosts and then run warm water after. I blow dry it after, near his enclosure to entice him a bit!

[Ba11er]

i usually thaw them out in the fridge or in plastic bags in warm water. Hot water or blow dryer to warm them up right before offering them. The thawed rats should be squishy but if your really worried about them not being thawed all the way put them in the fridge the night before and then water if their still hard.

[Rbeckwood1]

Since I'm feeding tomorrow should I place the rat in the refrigerator until tomorrow then pull them out in the morning and let them sit until later tomorrow night?

[Rbeckwood1]

I currently have a rat in the refrigerator in an airtight bag. Should I let it sit in there overnight since I'm feeding tomorrow then once I'm ready to feed warm the rat body up?

[Willowy]

Yeah, I thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then place in a ziploc bag and soak in hot tap water to warm them.