Predator.

[TeamSlitherin]

I came home from work quite late last night to find my S. Nauta cruising around his viv. I went to bring him out, as I do most nights, and he was extra sassy. I figured, since it was 2am, it was technically feeding day. So, I picked him up and brought him to the next room, tossing a frozen/bagged mouse by his heat lamp to thaw while we explored the living room.

About 40 minutes later, we came back into my room (where his enclosure is located). He was in an extra curious mood, so I didn't think anything when he slithered down my leg, up my foot, and onto the bedpost. Except, he wasn't exploring anymore. Suddenly, he was on a mission. He cruised effortlessly across the foot of the bed, towards his enclosure, and reached for the top.

I barely jumped up in time to snatch the bagged mouse from his clutches. He snapped at the bag in my hand as if to say, "give it back!!" So, I took out the mouse (now thawed, but still not warm) and tossed it to him. He all but caught it in the air, as though he hadn't eaten 6 freaking days ago.:eek:

On top of that, of course he wedged himself way too close to his lamp for the entire process. I almost had a heart attack. I turned it off as soon as he got up there, but stayed nearby with the hook just in case.

Turns out I totally underestimated that feeding response!

This is the story in photo-form:

[Scubadiver59]

Your snake smelling the food, even through the bag, is like a shark being able to smell a teaspoon of blood in the water from hundreds of yards/meters away.

I don't know how little scent in the air is needed for a snake to pick it up, I couldn't find an accurate number like that have for the sharks above (1/Ten Billionth part of blood to water), but it's probably not a lot!

[TeamSlitherin]

Your snake smelling the food, even through the bag, is like a shark being able to smell a teaspoon of blood in the water from hundreds of yards/meters away.

I don't know how little scent in the air is needed for a snake to pick it up, I couldn't find an accurate number like that have for the sharks above (1/Ten Billionth part of blood to water), but it's probably not a lot!

That must be why, coincidentally, sharks and snakes are my two very favorite animals! :yes:

And it's just a hilarious contrast to the Dumeril's, for whom I have to turn cartwheels in order to get her to even look at food!

[TRD]

At least yours knows what food is... I keep only Kingsnakes and fluctuating population of sandboa...

kingsnakes in foodmode just eat what is in front of them, in no particular order;

A hand
A finger
Another finger
My daughter's finger
My arm
My pullover
My pants
Various plant leafs
Window slides
The window itself (yes, trying to open the mouth so wide against the glass to actually bite it by brute force)
Waterdish sides
Waterdish under water biting the bottom
Part of the desk on which some vivariums are standing, repeatedly
Plastic bag #1 to n
Corkbark in various sizes
Terracotta pot
Feeding thongs
Bark
...etc.

I wish one would actually listen to half it's brain when it's feeding day.

[SerpentineDream]

I'm not sure how many ppm or ppb it takes for them to detect scent particles in the air but my rather large crew are all on point within seconds when I bring in the thawed rodents on feeding day. It's like being circled by a school of sharks. Their actual feeding responses range from demented (the woma striking at and trying to eat me through the glass) to awe-inspiring (the black milks hitting their rats with such force that it makes a thumping noise and I can feel the impact reverberate through the feeding tongs and down my arm) to tepid (a female hognose who seems to say, "meh, is that all you've got")?

TRD, I likewise never have to wonder if the kings will eat. :D

It's great that you got the little guy on camera! You certainly don't need to worry about him accepting a meal. The shot of him slinking along the bed frame is terrific.

[dannybgoode]

Yes scrubs like food - very much :). My two know when I'm coming in with dinner.

My retics, as per my other post are insanely food orientated - even my young male is out the viv and at the rat when the viv is barely open.

Some of my others not so much. Auntie Rachel is pretty chilled about it all but I think she knows she'll get the food anyway!

[regi375]

@TRD
Add "own body" to the list for mine.

[TeamSlitherin]

Managed to upload a couple videos of the little piglet. Two different feeds. All the same greedy!

https://youtu.be/QwRnsvXO69E

https://youtu.be/62qZEVk15Fs