NEED HELP WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO THAW A RAT??

Herpguy55 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 09:44 PM

I am trying to swich my bp to f/t rats but dont know how to thaw them i have to feed him now and dont know how just lay it out and let it come to room temp or put it in a plastic bag and run it under hot water until it is thawed threw or what n e help would be great and as fast as you can lol thanks kody

morti · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 09:48 PM

The best thing you can do is put it in a plastic bag and let it thaw in hot tap water. When you think it's thawed, feel around the base of the skull. If it is not warm to the touch, it needs more thawing. It should also, obviously, be very flexable.. If it is stiff, it needs more thawing.

Good luck!

Herpguy55 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 09:49 PM

Thanks I willl do that now

Thanks agian Kody

JonnyB · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 09:53 PM

I usually set my rats out early in the day than feed later if you pressed for time I would do the hot tap water thing DO NOT NUKE THEM!! I tried that BAD VERY BAD and stinky. Needless to say popcorn just don't taste the same no more. I some times put the next/under a heat lamp for a few seconds to give an extra jump in heat just before feeding but after the rat has thawed.
Good luck man

LdyDrgn · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 10:06 PM

Hi Kody

I sent this to you in PM, but will post it here as well for others to see.

I saw that Morti suggested hot water, I would say nearly hot. You don't want to thaw out rats/mice too quickly. What happens: If the prey thaws too quickly, too much gas is released form the thawing tissue and it builds up in the body cavity (why dead bodies float). When the pressure gets to be too much, the skin tears allowing the gas to escape along with the internal organs (why dead bodies sink again). This isn't likely to happen in the baggie, but when your snake constricts the bloated prey, it explodes... and MAN is that NASTY!!

When you can hold the whole head in your hand and feel no cool spots, then it is done thawing. The brain is always last to thaw out since it is encased in the skull.

If you bp has never taken pre-killed before, the best way to get it interested is to take the rat by the scruff of the neck with hemostats or tongs and 'walk' him around the enclosure or tub. Make the bp think it's alive

Herpguy55 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:00 PM

THanks he had never taken it before but he took it with ease i held the rat by the tail with some tongs and put it in the container and kinda wiggled it and he took it right off. do u know if a medium rat is to big for a 3' 1/2" ball python? I have been feeding small rats for about 5 to 6 months now. Thanks Kody

LdyDrgn · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:14 PM

Medium rats should be about right, that is what my 3.5' male takes

Herpguy55 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:20 PM

thanks all i could get today was a medium and he usually eats small i didnt know if a 3ft 1/2 in bp could eat one medium each month or not thanks he usually deficates the day before i feed him so if he hasnt deficated by next feeding day should i hold off ot what?? thanks Kody

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