Is this normal?

[Nektu]

There have been a few times where I go and feed my oldest ball (I feed live very large mice at least 2-3 at a time. wife is highly allergic to rats), and when he goes after it when it is dangling by it's tail from my hand and not really moving, that he'll miss it completely and get nothing but air. I thought it was just him, but the younger little dude did the same thing about 2 feedings ago. Is this a sign of something that I should be worried about further on down the line?

[stephanbakir]

With my snakes, striking at a target is easy, they only need to judge distance, but for some reason, some snakes have a hard time judging distance, and compensating for hight at the same time. Try to feed the snake by holding the mouses tail with tongs, and keeping the mouse on the floor instead of hanging.

[stephanbakir]

That being said, you really should try switching over to F/t mice instead of live, and preferably over to F/T rats. Generally in adult snakes you can easily tell which snakes have eaten live and which have eaten frozen/thawed. By the time they are fully grown they have gotten enough scars from either being bitten or clawed by their pray items.
You can find lots of ways on this forum to help make the transition, and if you still need help, tons of people here are always helpful.

[Nektu]

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

With my snakes, striking at a target is easy, they only need to judge distance, but for some reason, some snakes have a hard time judging distance, and compensating for hight at the same time. Try to feed the snake by holding the mouses tail with tongs, and keeping the mouse on the floor instead of hanging.

Height isn't a problem. I hold the mouse pretty close to the bottom of the tank. Basically it's front feet are almost touching the bottom, but not enough for it to run.

And I understand what you mean about the dangers. I'm there from the time they grab and kill until they get the head into their mouths. I'm even in the room and check on their progress every few seconds or so.

[Lankyrob]

My young BP often will miss his first strike, he then goes and hides under a log in "embarassment". I then leave the prey (f.t) in the plate and he will come back about 30 minutes later and eat.

[Nektu]

If mine misses, he'll coil back up and strike again within seconds. As if he had to get his homing back on sync or something. It's rather odd.

[stephanbakir]

No idea then Sorry man, tell us if you figure it out, I'd be interested to find out.

[presspirate]

Well, I am pretty sure, when snakes hunt in the wild, mice are not dangling by their tails. Try grabbing the mouse by the midsection in a pair of tongs.

[Lankyrob]

I hold the mouse by scruff of its neck so that its easier to encourage the snake to strrike at the head.

[Nektu]

With it dangling by it's tail in front of them, it's almost difficult for them not to go for the heads.

[stephanbakir]

If you just aim the mouse at them, it would still be hard for them to get anything else but the head, unless they come from above or behind which is unlikely.

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by Nektu

With it dangling by it's tail in front of them, it's almost difficult for them not to go for the heads.

thats what we thought but after a few snakes took the prey halfway along the body we switched and started pointing the head straight down the throat of the snake!

[mistersprinkles]

Don't feed any snake live prey unless it's a green snake eating crickets or the prey is a pinky that can't bite.

There's definitely a nutritional benefit to live but you can get the same nutritional benefit by administering a good knock to the back of the mouse's head yourself and then feeding it to the snake.

As far as ball pythons attacking air, I've seen about six of them do it almost exclusively. It's a pretty snake but it's extremely dis-coordinated.