Ok, so I just used my heat gun and went to my garage sink that I use to soak the rats in a large plastic tupperware bowl. The temp I have been dropping frozen rats to soak in is reading 118* from the tap. While this obviously is going to cool naturally and with the addition of frozen items, I realize that is not the best practice and thank you for the insight. I will try the cold thaw from now on and order some new rats as I just finished the last of what has come to become a likely treat to the coyotes in the valley backing up to my house.

I was tempted to try and order some different prey items. Anybody have success or experience with quail or anything weird like that? I also thought about Reptilinks from a Garrett Hartle video, but I think at this point my snakes might look at me like I'm crazy, so best to stick to something with fur...

I have tried the blowdryer method, but this was with rats that had been fast-heated in hot water. What's interesting is that the times that they have eaten, and it hasn't been a lot since I've had these guys, they have NEVER struck at any prey item. The Variegata eats off a flat piece of cork bark I use to minimize mess when I've been out of the room, and the Jungle (newer addition), did one of those super slow Kevin McCurley type of eats where it just eats it all tame-like. Such a weird situation. I realize buying snakes and not knowing were they come from may not be the BEST practice, but other than the eating thing, they look very healthy and act normal. I got into this and got the first one out of sympathy to be honest, and the same went with the big jungle. Both had been returned, the Jungle several times, and I knew I could give them nice homes where they wouldn't have to keep switching their habitats. I've spent an unreal amount of money giving these two snakes great habitats and really hope they eat so I feel like I sort of gave them a good chance and life. Sorry if that sounds lame.