How are you checking temps? If on the ground with a temp gun, the temps are ok. What's ambient temp? If not checking with a temp gun, get one yesterday.
Secondly, how are you controlling temps? You didn't mention a thermostat, which doesn't mean you do not have one, but they are necessary and mandatory. If you do not have one, get one, yesterday.
Fuzzy what? Mice or rats?
Please see below for appropriate size prey items for both your BP's. Do you know age and/or weights?
As you can see, Fuzzy rats are okay for until 200G. Fuzzy mice are never appropriate food for a BP, way too small. If that's what you are feeding, that could be why she's missing.
Additionally, below, is the proper way to defrost F/T prey items. Please review.
This is my step by step list on defrosting F/T rodents.
Others may do it differently and that's fine. This how I do it and it works for me.
STEPS FOR DEFROSTING F/T RODENTS/PREY
1. Put prey item(s) into appropriate size plastic bag (1 for each). I use Quart size ziplock bags up to a medium rat. NOTE: Bags are optional. Some people just throw the prey in the water. I like the bags, but you have to squeeze the air out of them.
2. Fill the container/storage box 3/4 of the way with room temp to slightly warm water. If you have a temp gun (which you should, so if you don't, get one), make sure the water is not hotter than 85-90F, or there about.
3. Put F/T prey item(s) in water. Cover (optional) and leave for an hour +/-.
4. After an hour, rotate/flip prey. If in plastic bags, they often will stay on whatever side you put them in on. So if mouse is on left side, turn to right side, etc.
5. Leave for another hour +/- for a TOTAL of about 2 hours (up to medium sized rat - longer if bigger prey for when ROE is bigger and eating Large rats, for example).
6. Check that prey is defrosted totally through. Squeeze at different sections of the preys body. Should be cool/room temp to touch, but be soft with no cold spots. If hard (except for bone), in abdomen, for example, or cold, put back in water until room temp and soft.
7. Take prey out of the container/storage box and put aside. THEN FOLLOW STEPS 8-11 OR STEP 12
8. Fill container with hot water from tap. If using temp gun, water temp should be 110-130F, not more.
9. Drop prey item into water for 30 seconds +/-. If multiple prey items, do one at a time. You want each item hot when you offer.
10. Remove (if hot water, with tongs).
11. Dry as best as you can, and is quickly as you can, with paper towels. I dry with paper towels while I am walking from the bathroom where I defrost to the snake tanks. I kind of wrap the prey item up in them. It's ten feet, so by the time I get to the tanks, the prey is drier, but still warm.
12. If not using hot water, use a hairdryer to heat rat so it entices snake
13. Open tank and offer ASAP.
Originally Posted by dakski
How are you checking temps? If on the ground with a temp gun, the temps are ok. What's ambient temp? If not checking with a temp gun, get one yesterday.
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