Heating prey?

Hi everyone,

I've been hearing that mice should be heated before offering to a snake.

Is this neccessary and if so, what's the best way to heat the mouse? What sort of temp should it be heated to?

If they're frozen, I run the tap until it's a bit too hot for me to comfortably leave my hand in, and fill a 16oz plastic cup with it and toss the mouse in. For pinks and fuzzies, I leave them in for five minutes, then change the water, and leave them in for another five. For hoppers and up, I change the water out one more time. A mouse's body temp is a little higher than a human's, so if the mouse feels a little warm to you, all is good.

i leave mine to deforst on top of the viv, becuase i have a lamp in mine so it defrosts the mouse, and it warms it up to a good enouth tempreture, snakes are like people they dont want cold or frozen food!!!

It really depends on the snake. I have some that don't seem to mind soggy, room temperature mice. Others want theirs dry and warm. I use basically the same method Dean uses, except for the ones who won't eat damp mice, I put them into a ziploc bag. It takes longer to thaw this way, so be sure and check them. For my ball pythons, who are more particular than my corns, I heat the mice/rats with a blow dryer for a few minutes to make sure they are warm and dry.

I asked a question similar to this. Here is a link to the thread:
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31185&highlight=pinkies+fast+slow
I hope it helps.

hey I find that most of my corns will eat "soggy, room temperature mice" lol
but my ball definatly needs heated 'moving' food! in that case I usually defrost and then run the mouse in a ziplock bag under hot water in the sink for a few minutes!