Mmmm, I wish I could eat that again!

[PDXErik]

So, I noticed after feeding one of my rtbs, the voracious eater, it followed the rat down it's body as it traveled inside, sniffing all the way.

It bit a couple of times at the spot, not struck, but certainly weird. Not at the same spot, I started to think that maybe it was scratching an itch (perhaps it was, but maybe it itched on the inside).

It looked like it was totally wanting that to go down again.

I was trying to get a picture, but it was done by the time I had the camera out.

Any ideas, or is this just a psycho?

[Herpkid101x]

thats weird maybe ur right bout the itching

[ToddBecker]

Could simply be reacting to the scent of the prey item on itself, nibbled on it, realized it was itself and quickly let go. Years ago I housed two burms together and fed outside of the enclosure(both of which I strongly, strongly discourage now) and after a feeding my larger snake, 12 foot attacked the smaller one,8 foot, They were both still in feeding mode and the larger one smelled the prey on the other, Or hell possibly in it..lol, and attacked and constricted. I had to jump in there and break it up which let me tell you was a very nerve wracking ordeal. Anyway, what I am getting at is that it possibly simply smelled the prey and wanted more. Todd

[PDXErik]

Yeah, this one will eat and eat and eat. I swear, it would eat whatever you put in there with it until there was no more room and the ***-end of a rat left sticking out of it's mouth because there would be no more room inside.

I've got a call in to the vet, anyway. If something is itching that's not supposed to be, I want to know as soon as I can. I'll fill everyone in after I get the call back (she was in surgery when I called, I hope she recovers quickly.......)

[PDXErik]

So, the vet says that it is possible that it was scratched inside and it is experiencing some discomfort while swallowing.

He recommends (it was a he that called me back) lubing the prey in egg yolks and if that helps, then it means that there is something going on inside. He said that it is possible that it is smelling the prey on itself and probing out of curiosity.

I'm not going to feed for another two weeks this time, so we'll see what happens. Both with the egg smelling rat and the bitey behaviour. He also said that he has never heard of this before (not comforting) and he takes care of the herps at the Oregon Zoo.

[gonesnakee]

Personally I would never have anything to do with raw eggs remotely near any of my snakes. Sounds like a Samonella risk in the making. Snakes have been taking down prey for a very very very long time without anyone ever having to "lube it up" for them, if thats the case maybe the prey is too big. Only cases I have really heard of issues is with feeding chickens (nasty & gross to begin with) & most folks that do so regularily will cut off the beaks & "talons" to avoid any issues. Mark
P.S. I think it was likely smelling the prey on itself along with detecting the movement of it inside. Remember snakes are not the smartest, I have ones that bite themselves all the time. More of a kingsnake type thing though.

[PDXErik]

Yeah, they're kind of savants where they do somethings really well, but fail to tie their shoes in the morning.

I think that what I will do is get smaller prey. The rats I was feeding weren't very big comparatively. Maybe I'll start with something fairly small, so that there likely isn't any issue of irritation and if it still does it, I'll chalk it up to "it sure is pretty, but boy is it dumb".

[Boots Hawks]

I got two words "RAT GHOST" I have heard that a violent death can lead to ghosts. Do you feed f/t or pre-killed?,, Your Snake saw the ghost and had a second meal without you knowing it...Anyways rename him "Ghost Buster", I hope you know I am kidding about the ghost part. My real response is,,maybe his head was just in that spot and he was adjusting his jaw like they do after eating.

Boots H.

[PDXErik]

heh, fresh killed if anybody's getting haunted, it'll be me lol

She wasn't adjusting her jaw, good idea, but it was obviously biting at the spot where the rat was. It was totally different than a jaw reset.

Thanks for the idea, though.