This is a thawing guide with a little misc info Ive been working on to hang in some stores that sell rodents or cater to reptiles. Please give feedback.
Have you considered frozen feeders?
Frozen feeders help ensure you have the right size prey on feeding day. No more last minute dashes to your pet store to find that they are closed.
Can be kept up to 3 months in a Ziploc bag ... Up to 2 years if vacuum packed.
None of the mess or smell of raising live prey.
Freezing kills parasites that may be in your prey and can affect your reptile.
No need to worry about frozen prey possibly attacking and injuring, or maiming your reptile.
Thawing Instructions:
·Remove prey from freezer and place on counter, in a cupboard, on top of fridge or freezer, etc. (Thawing times chart on backside.)
·Once the prey item has been thawed it needs to be heated to above room temperature. This can be done by:
o Placing the prey, submerged, in hot water.
o Placing the prey item under a heat lamp.
o Placing the prey by an electric heater.
o Using a hair dryer or heat gun.
·Check the prey items head and hips, these are the thickest areas and usually the last to warm up. If they feel cold more warming is required.
The first few feedings may require a “jiggle or shake”. Hold the prey by the tail (preferably with hemostats or tongs) and “shake” the prey lightly about 2 inches from the reptiles nose. Once it strikes the prey release your grasp on the prey item. The prey can also be left on the under tank heat pad or under a heat light for the shy eaters.
CAUTION:
Do
NOT use a microwave to thaw feeders, this may cause them to explode or will cook inside of prey. Reptiles cannot digest cooked food. For this reason you also should not use boiling water to warm prey.
Pinkies and fuzzies are highly susceptible to “popping” when warmed too fast.
_________________________________________________________________
(backside)
Mice:
Pinkies – smalls 1 hr thawing time.
Mediums – larges 2 hrs thawing time.
Rats:
Pinkies – fuzzies 1 hr thawing time.
Hoppers – smalls 2 hrs thawing time.
Mediums – 4 hrs thawing time.
Larges - 4-6 hrs thawing time.
Rabbits:
Pinkies - fuzzies 2 hrs thawing time (0.1 – 0.5 lbs).
Hoppers – 4 hrs thawing time (0.5 – 1.0 lbs).
Smalls – 6 hrs thawing time (1.0 – 2.0 lbs).
Mediums - 8 hrs thawing time (2.0 – 5.0 lbs).
The above time estimations are based on removing the prey from the freezer and immediately placing it at room temperature (72 f).
Putting prey, submerged, in warm or tepid water, will dramatically decrease times. Thawing in warm or tepid water is NOT recommended for pinkies through fuzzies.
They can also be placed in the fridge to thaw overnight.
Sizing and size comparisons:
Rats & Mice
Pinkies = 1-5 days old
Fuzzies = 7-12 days old
Hoppers = 2-3 weeks old
Weaned = 4-5 weeks old
Small = 5-7 weeks old
Medium = 8-10 weeks old
Large = over 10 weeks old
Adult mouse = Hopper rat
Medium rat = Fuzzy rabbit
Large rat = 1 - 1.5 lb rabbit.
Generally younger prey items are more nutritious, have more vitamins & minerals, and provide more “bang for the buck” for your reptile.
Feeders should be kept in plastic bags as long as possible to maintain scent.
Feeders can be placed in paper bags, Rubbermaid containers, Tupperware containers, plastic sacks, and etc. in your freezer to “hide” from sight.
Thanks,
Bryan
