When feeding a snake, always remember to keep it as calm as possible. Snakes don’t like to be handled before eating, so you want to make sure it is not stressed before feeding. Frozen rodents should be treated in the same way as live ones. A few precautions you should keep in mind when feeding frozen rodents include the following:
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Live or frozen rats
Whether to use frozen or live rats for feeding snakes depends on your preference. Most pet snakes will accept frozen rodents, but some may refuse it. When choosing a prey type, always make sure it is well thawed before feeding. You can also thaw it partially by leaving it out in room temperature or setting it under a warming lamp. Another option is to place the rodent in a plastic bag filled with warm water and place it in it.
When choosing the right rodent, always keep in mind that the snake’s thickness should not exceed the size of the feeder rodent. It is best to feed the snake an appropriate size rodent to avoid causing discomfort. However, some snakes aren’t comfortable with being handled before feeding, and so it’s important to be gentle when handling it. Whether you choose to use frozen or live rodents is completely up to you, but a live one is usually safer.
Dead or live mice
When choosing a prey item for your pet snake, remember that your pet needs a consistent temperature. Mice that are either too hot or too cold can cause digestive problems. It is important that you thaw frozen mice first. Thawing prey in a microwave is dangerous because it can cause uneven heating and can even lead to the prey exploding. A microwave also produces a mess, which you probably don’t want to deal with.
If you plan to feed your pet snakes with prey, it is best to buy a frozen mouse from a trusted food source. It is safe to thaw frozen mice but should be kept out of reach of snakes. In addition to the convenience, dead mice are preferred by snakes, and live mice can harm them. Be sure to remove frozen prey from the freezer ten hours before you plan to feed them, and heat the prey for 15 seconds before allowing it to thaw. Always discard any prey that is unattended.
Pre-killed rodents
Feeding snakes with pre-killed rats can be a safe, humane alternative to live prey. Frozen rodents are a great alternative to live food as they are cheaper and can be stored in the freezer for months. Also, freezing prey will kill any parasites or disease that might be present. The benefits of using frozen prey for feeding snakes are well worth the additional cost.
Live rodents are less convenient to handle than pre-killed rats and mice, and require extra feeding to keep them healthy. Live rodents are also not readily available for sale, and some snake hobbyists must wait on a waiting list for them. Some snake dealers even run out of them. But if you’re not in a rush, you can always buy frozen prey.
Using forceps to feed snakes
Many reptile keepers use forceps to safely pick up small venomous animals. As long as you handle the snakes with forceps, you’ll have fewer chances of a snake bite. Before you feed a snake, you should always wash your hands thoroughly, since the smell of its prey can be very powerful. It’s also a good idea to wash your hands well before handling the snake’s habitat.
To introduce prey to snakes, you can use forceps to hold frozen items. This mimics the motion of live prey. Adding a sliver of chicken broth to the prey item before presenting it to the snake can elicit a strike. The snake’s natural feeding habits will dictate which prey item to consume. If your snake doesn’t accept this type of prey, you can also use forceps to present whole prey.
