When feeding goes wrong!

dannybgoode · 09-11-17, 12:42 PM

I fed both the new Madu last night whist I had be warned that the female was feisty want quite expecting her quite ridiculous feeding response.

I had her rat ready in one hand and the male's rat still in a plastic bag keeping warm. I had barely opened the tub - maybe and inch of so - and she shot out and took the rat meant for the boy complete with plastic bag. Never seen anything move so fast and she had had no chance to sight the prey but she was deadly accurate - even if it was for the wrong rat.

Cue trying to remove an upset Madu in full feeding frenzy from bag with prey - one that I've no real knowledge of yet fully locked on and coiled on the bagged rat.

I was actually pretty pleased with how I handled it. Kept calm, kept control of the snake and sorted it.

She was fully on that rat/ bag - mouth locked and fully coiled and once I had removed her from the rat/bag she then fully constricted my wrist so had to then get her off that whilst keeping control of her head.

An interesting experience and not one I wish to repeat!

Scubadiver59 · 09-11-17, 12:58 PM

Heresay. Post the video...or it didn't happen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

I fed both the new Madu last night whist I had be warned that the female was feisty want quite expecting her quite ridiculous feeding response.

I had her rat ready in one hand and the male's rat still in a plastic bag keeping warm. I had barely opened the tub - maybe and inch of so - and she shot out and took the rat meant for the boy complete with plastic bag. Never seen anything move so fast and she had had no chance to sight the prey but she was deadly accurate - even if it was for the wrong rat.

Cue trying to remove an upset Madu in full feeding frenzy from bag with prey - one that I've no real knowledge of yet fully locked on and coiled on the bagged rat.

I was actually pretty pleased with how I handled it. Kept calm, kept control of the snake and sorted it.

She was fully on that rat/ bag - mouth locked and fully coiled and once I had removed her from the rat/bag she then fully constricted my wrist so had to then get her off that whilst keeping control of her head.

An interesting experience and not one I wish to repeat!

dannybgoode · 09-11-17, 01:17 PM

Bit difficult to film when you have no spare hands!

Scubadiver59 · 09-11-17, 02:08 PM

A couple of webcams stationed in the room, like Viperkeeper, and you're set!

I've been thinking about WiFi cameras since I have a 18TB NAS up and running with plenty of space to store the video to...at least for a while. No Internet connectivity, just local WiFi to keep 99% of the bad guys out.

Maybe one day...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Bit difficult to film when you have no spare hands!

TeamSlitherin · 09-11-17, 03:29 PM

Hahaha, a very similar situation happened with my little scrub last night! I snatched the bag right before he got to it, he snapped for it in my hand and I unbagged and tossed the mouse to him. It wasn't even warm yet and he acted like he's never eaten before!

jjhill001 · 09-11-17, 05:10 PM

I didn't realize people held bags so close to their enclosures lol. I have a little shelf I pull the mouse out and then open the tank.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-11-17, 06:13 PM

It really is amazing how fast they can strike. All's well that ends well.

dannybgoode · 09-12-17, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

I didn't realize people held bags so close to their enclosures lol. I have a little shelf I pull the mouse out and then open the tank.

I want particularly close and I won't be doing it again!

All good experience though and a learning opportunity.

My biggest concern was not knowing the snake yet so I could not begin to predict how she would react but by and large so long as the end with the bitey but full of sharp things was kept under control I was pretty confident I'd be ok.

It's a good example of why two people should be present with large snakes though. No way I could have done it safely if it was a 10'+ animal.

jjhill001 · 09-12-17, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

I want particularly close and I won't be doing it again!

All good experience though and a learning opportunity.

My biggest concern was not knowing the snake yet so I could not begin to predict how she would react but by and large so long as the end with the bitey but full of sharp things was kept under control I was pretty confident I'd be ok.

It's a good example of why two people should be present with large snakes though. No way I could have done it safely if it was a 10'+ animal.

Eh, one of those embarrassing stories we all have but some people aren't honest enough to post about them in fear of ruining their "forum cred" lol. Appreciate the fun story!

dannybgoode · 09-12-17, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Eh, one of those embarrassing stories we all have but some people aren't honest enough to post about them in fear of ruining their "forum cred" lol. Appreciate the fun story!

Mistakes are what we learn from! I'm always happy to admit and share mine if it helps prevent someone else from doing the same.

dave himself · 09-13-17, 01:25 AM

Glad everything turned out ok mate

TeamSlitherin · 09-13-17, 02:00 AM

The real question is - how'd you get her to let go of the bag?!

Herpin' Man · 09-14-17, 08:30 AM

I once had a Burmese python shoot out of it's cage, right past the rat I was offering, and latch onto a towel that was draped over the back of a stool. He got both ends of the towel, which I had to cut in half to extricate it from the stool.
I threw the whole mess (towel, rat, and snake) back in the cage. The snake eventually sorted it out on his own.