Frozen/thawed question

katie_

Wonder Reptiles
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2,645
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This is just a general question, I figured I would ask it here as this section tends to get the most action.

If I thaw a mouse or rat and my snake/lizard doesnt eat it, I know I cannot re-freeze it.
Can I keep it in the fridge and warm it up the next day? How long can it stay in the fridge before I should toss it?
I hate wasting them, and it kills me to throw them out after only one try.
 

The Gecko Person

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I think it would be better to do that with bigger rodents than smaller rodents, like a large rat compared to a pinky. The pinky would rot quicker so it would be more dangerous. It might work with bigger ones though.
 

katie_

Wonder Reptiles
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I'm using rat pups for my python, but shes not always interested.
Theyre just so damn cute that I hate wasting them. My corn couldnt handle a rat pup, yet.
 

J&K's Lemy

Kreacher
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149
Location
South east MO
what about the live option?
get one and see if thats something you can do
a lot of people can't
makes them feel like they are mean lol
 

katie_

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what about the live option?
get one and see if thats something you can do
a lot of people can't
makes them feel like they are mean lol

I find live food is an unhealthier option.
They can fight back and hurt my python (a friend of mine lost a python from a vicious rat).
Freezing prey kills off any potential parasites as well.
 

polito

New Member
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25
I feed my 5 mo old ball a live rat pup every 2 weeks as I find he refuses food unless its been atleast 12 days. I have never had an issue with live and you will never have any problems as long as you NEVER leave live prey unattended. Good thing about live as well is if my ball refuses food my supplier will take back the feeder within the same night for refund.

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katie_

Wonder Reptiles
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I feed my 5 mo old ball a live rat pup every 2 weeks as I find he refuses food unless its been atleast 12 days. I have never had an issue with live and you will never have any problems as long as you NEVER leave live prey unattended. Good thing about live as well is if my ball refuses food my supplier will take back the feeder within the same night for refund.

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I disagree.
I do not agree with feeding live. Hes may be on rat pups now, but he'll need to eventually go to something larger - that can bite back. As I said, my friend hand feeds live prey, and the rat bit the snakes tounge. It died.

Also, parasites are something I want to avoid.

Everyone has different opionions and mine are strong against feeding live. I would prefer if this didnt turn into a debate.
I'd just like to know how long meat is safe in the fridge after its been thawed.
 

marc26

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UK
I had 2 snakes in past and both stopped eating dead/frozen mice when i fed it live food would not touch them at all unless alive which ended up costing me a fortune.
No expert but had 2 snakes over 9 years. Anything more than24hours and think food will start going off, also was told snakes can tell if a rat or mouse been dead for more than an hour not sure on that though so always was defrosted can only be binned within 24 hours.
 
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MarkXS

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36
I don't know why people are so Black and White on the live/frozen prey issue. Feed the snake what it's willing to eat. Most of my snakes eat frozen, so I feed them frozen. Some will only eat live no matter what I do, so I feed them live. It's not a moral dilemma, it's food.

As far as uneaten leftovers go, get yourself a garbage can. One of my garbage cans is named Tom, short for snappy Tom. He's a very fat snapping turtle who gets all of my uneaten rats and mice. I've got another garbage can named Roy, he's a Red Eared Slider who gets a lot of leftover meal worms, dead beetles, larva that didn't morph properly, etc... In nature nothing goes to waste, so why should I let it go to waste in my basement?

As far as leaving frozen rodents in the refrigerator, it'll depend on how long it was left in a hot cage, but for the most part, you'll probably be good for at least a day.
 

katie_

Wonder Reptiles
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Ontario
I had 2 snakes in past and both stopped eating dead/frozen mice when i fed it live food would not touch them at all unless alive which ended up costing me a fortune.
No expert but had 2 snakes over 9 years. Anything more than24hours and think food will start going off, also was told snakes can tell if a rat or mouse been dead for more than an hour not sure on that though so always was defrosted can only be binned within 24 hours.

She eats frozen food no problem, as does my corn. They dont care that it is not "alive". I wiggle it with tongs, thats enough movement to entice them to eat.
Occasionally when shes not hungry, she'll refuse feedings.
Most snakes can be weaned onto frozen food.
 

koloo921

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17
Location
Ohio
I have never had any luck refreezing rats. They usually develop a spot around their belly area that has started to rot. This weak area sometimes will cause the rat to explode when it is constricted on the next feeding. It makes a mess. It's better to throw them away if you don't have anything else that will eat it.
 

Dimidiata

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Hey Kate. I have this issue too, unfortunately there is only one way to deal with it in my experience, either keep trying to get them to eat or toss it. Its just one of those sacrifices us snake keepers have to face. Though, i feed my smaller boa first and if she absolutely refuses to eat then it goes to my bigger king snake. That way either the king eats it or doesn't and doesn't get a large mouse thawed out. ANYONE who would like to discuss the absolute IRRESPONSIBILITY of feeding live without good reason can take it up with my teachers king snake, who WHILE WE ALL WATCHED was bitten by a mouse. Unless you have your hand on the dang mouse when the snake bites it the mouse can always turn in less then a second and bite the snake, even after its been bit. Dont be stupid, feed frozen unless absolutely necessary. The op already expressed her feelings on the subject so drop it.

Sorry kate, best of luck to your snakes and yourself. Hope you dont have to waste anymore pups. Out of curiosity how often do you feed, how bigs the snake and what kind is it.
 

J&K's Lemy

Kreacher
Messages
149
Location
South east MO
maybe keep it alive until it is feeding time to ensure the freshness
ain't got snakes so I really don't know lol
use to do that with my hedgehog's cricketts (hard to catch)
my other half wants a snake a little one like a corn snake or a hog snake
 

Dimidiata

New Member
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palmetto FL
Thats called fresh kill, its second best to frozen imo. The issue remains that parasites and other ilnesses can still be transfered. If your practising fresh kill your better off raising your own feeders, wich isnt a problem because then you can ensure their health, but not everyone can of course.
 

Scubaf250

New Member
Messages
44
Pretty sure freezing won't kill anything but the rodent. If it has a parasite or a disease it's going to have it once it's thawed out anyway.

I feed frozen too because mine always eat. But if your that worried about throwing them away you can always do live and Knock it out before you feed.


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katie_

Wonder Reptiles
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2,645
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Ontario
Pretty sure freezing won't kill anything but the rodent. If it has a parasite or a disease it's going to have it once it's thawed out anyway.

I feed frozen too because mine always eat. But if your that worried about throwing them away you can always do live and Knock it out before you feed.


Send in your two cents!
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Parasites die once frozen for 30 days.
They cannot come back to life inside the snake.
 

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