Defrosting Food

[NSavage]

Probably another stupid question but here goes anyway...

When i bought my coastal i was told that the easiest way to defrost food items is to leave them under a light or heat lamp for an hour or so. Therefore i have been defrosting my mice by placing them under a 100 watt light (ordinary bulb) with the light being about 10-15 cms above the mouse and it seems to work fine (i haven't had any problems yet). I notice that most people on here use the warm water method. Does anyone use the same method as myself? Am i going about it the wrong way?

Thanks

[Pythoninfinite]

Hot (not boiling, but not warm either) water is the way to go - thaws the animals quickly and evenly, and it's ready before any bacterial breakdown can begin. For mice, pinks/fuzzies 3-4 mins, adults 10 mins. Rats a little longer, maybe up to half an hour for jumbos. Press your fingers against the belly for a minute or two to see if it has warmed right through, if it begins to feel cool or cold, just put it back for a few more minutes. The warmth radiated from the thawed animal is a good stimulant to get the snake to strike. No need to dry the rodent off either - I believe the wet fur aids in keeping the reptiles well hydrated.

Cheers, Jamie.

[Nagraj]

What's wrong with using a microwave and then letting the rodent sit for a few minutes?

[nvenm8]

Ever bitten into something cooked too much in the microwave thinking it was cool enough to eat? I think thats what is wrong with microwaves. It only takes one mistake and The vet bills will mount.

[Pythoninfinite]

What's wrong with just dropping them into hot water and waiting a few minutes? At least the hottest part is going to be on the outside, and you don't risk killing your herp by cooking it from the inside. Don't laugh, IT HAPPENS...

Jamie.

[TrueBlue]

IMO the best and safest way to thaw out rats and mice is to leave them in the fridge over night to thaw, or an esky if your thawing out enough, and then warm slightly before feeding.

[Moreliaman]

whats an esky ?

[Moreliaman]

Originally Posted by Nagraj

What's wrong with using a microwave and then letting the rodent sit for a few minutes?

LOL i can remember using a microwave once ! (well not me personally, i meant for the mice & rats)

[NSavage]

Originally Posted by TrueBlue

IMO the best and safest way to thaw out rats and mice is to leave them in the fridge over night to thaw, or an esky if your thawing out enough, and then warm slightly before feeding.

Hey TB, Roughly how many hours would you leave it in the fridge for? how do you go about warming them?

[TrueBlue]

Normally over night, or if you want to feed in the evening put them in the fridge first thing in the morning. Once thawed and taken out of the fridge, on a warm day they only take a few minutes to warm up to the desired temp in the snake room. Or if its cold put them in warm, not hot, water for a couple of minutes.
I rarely feed frozen as i breed my own and perfer fresh killed.

[Valley Reptile Supplies]

Originally Posted by Nagraj

What's wrong with using a microwave and then letting the rodent sit for a few minutes?

if you do this can i please come and watch (boom) blood and guts everywhere

[Wrasse]

I have used light globes for defrosting. A friend made a little wire cage system that sits over one of my heat bulbs and holds the frozen critters about 10 cms above the heat, but I find this tiresome as I have to turn the rats and it takes a while with bigger rats.

I use warm/hot (not boiling) water for mine, thaws them out nice and quickly. I am not as organised as Trueblue and to defrost in the fridge, would require forethough that I tend to forget about.

[Nagraj]

Originally Posted by mr-magic

if you do this can i please come and watch (boom) blood and guts everywhere

I use this method every day to thaw frozen chicks for raptors.
For starters I put the chicks in a plastic bag just in case but, through experience, I know exactly how long to nuke them for and how long to leave them sitting so they are completely thawed but don't have hot spots.

[Luke_G]

I use hot water now. I used to use a heat mat. But i think its too much trouble and can be time consuming. I fill the snake room sink up with hot water, then chuck em all in. saves me HEAPS of time.

[TrueBlue]

moreliaman,- an esky is the same as a chilly bin.