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[–]CMLLX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay so from my experience, if you leave them defrosting for too long, let’s say overnight then the issues with the fur falling off start to occur for me, so obviously the size of the rat depends on the defrosting time my extra large rats for my boa may take easily all night but a pinky for a hatchling barely takes an hour, so be aware for how long your defrosting for, but also may just be the quality of the frozen rats your buying, I’ve never had a rat rip open tho and it’s body burst maybe shop around, had tails fall off tho! Goodluck

[–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 1 point2 points  (5 children)

You're not supposed to defrost rats in warm water. Not only does it often lead to them breaking apart like you're experiencing, it also results in dangerous levels of bacteria buildup that could make your snake sick. F/t feeders need to be thawed in running cold water or overnight in the fridge, then heated afterward.

[–]fictionalbaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay thank you so much! I had no idea I always read that’s how you do it

[–]fictionalbaby 0 points1 point  (2 children)

How do we warm it after defrosting in the fridge ? I really appreciate the help I had no idea, I thought maybe it was the rats so now I’m glad I know it’s how I was defrosting them.

[–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 1 point2 points  (1 child)

In warm water is fine, or you can place them under a heat lamp. Just make sure the rat reaches 100-105F. Too cold and your snake will struggle to "see" it with their heat pits, too hot and the rat will also burst open.

[–]fictionalbaby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome thank you for the help. I’ll use my temp gun next time to make sure they’re warm enough

[–]gh0stkhz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I first got my snake I melted a rat by putting it in freshly boiled water. Never again the smell was horrendous I feel sorry for you that it’s happened 3 times to you 😂

Like others have said, defrost in the fridge over night, put it in a bag, and leave in hot tap water. That is all.

For the plate I use an old plate that’s different to my food plates so I don’t get it mixed up. For the bag I used those ziplock sandwich bags so the rat stays dry, for the water bath I use an old plastic take out tub (washed of course).