Weird feeding behavior?

regi375 · 03-16-17, 09:53 PM

Last week when I fed my ball python Fiona she did something a little odd. Moved her into the feeding tub so she could eat. I was feeding her a live mouse since that's what the pet shop had her on (want to get her eating good before I switch to f/t). She immediately bite the mouse and began constricting it, but once it was dead she just left it there. I was wondering if this common? I was supervising her as she ate so I'm not sure if I was the cause. Once she lost interest though I placed the dead mouse in her hide on a paper towel, and put her back into the enclosure. The next morning when I checked it was gone and she was on her basking spot. Just thought it was something strange enough for me to post about it. Hopefully she'll actually eat the mouse when she kills it on Sunday :P

**Aaron_S** · 03-16-17, 10:27 PM

This is why it's easier to feed in the normal enclosure. No reason for a feeding tub.

Secondly, she might have been just searching for the head. Sometimes they take a bit after constricting to eat.

GyGbeetle · 03-17-17, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

This is why it's easier to feed in the normal enclosure. No reason for a feeding tub.

Secondly, she might have been just searching for the head. Sometimes they take a bit after constricting to eat.

I will sometimes sit with my snakes for an hour, encouraging them to find the head. Once they do, eating is on, and the rat is gone within minutes.

then I get other snakes that eat butt end first. But that's a whole other post...

**Aaron_S** · 03-17-17, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GyGbeetle

I will sometimes sit with my snakes for an hour, encouraging them to find the head. Once they do, eating is on, and the rat is gone within minutes.

then I get other snakes that eat butt end first. But that's a whole other post...

That's a lot of wasted time to me lol.

I simply offer food and they take it and I leave them alone and check in the morning or I drop it in their enclosure and again check in the morning if it's gone.

I'm too lazy to watch lol

regi375 · 03-17-17, 04:17 PM

Is there any chance for impaction then? I keep her on Ecoearth. She left the mouse alone for like 10 minutes just wandering around so I don't think she was just trying to find the head.

**Andy_G** · 03-17-17, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regi375

Is there any chance for impaction then? I keep her on Ecoearth. She left the mouse alone for like 10 minutes just wandering around so I don't think she was just trying to find the head.

Only if there's another health issue at hand and the snake health is already compromised. They don't eat on paper towel in nature, my friend.

regi375 · 03-18-17, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Only if there's another health issue at hand and the snake health is already compromised. They don't eat on paper towel in nature, my friend.

True, I'm just a bit overcautious with my animals. Lol
Feeding day is tomorrow so I'll just drop the mouse in her cage and see what happens.

regi375 · 03-18-17, 10:19 AM

Do ball pythons spend most of their time in the hide? I noticed she hasn't really come out much. Maybe once or twice to bask.

BillyCostume · 03-18-17, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regi375

Is there any chance for impaction then? I keep her on Ecoearth. She left the mouse alone for like 10 minutes just wandering around so I don't think she was just trying to find the head.

I think the whole impaction thing is blown way out of proportion. A snake consuming small amounts of substrate here and there doesn't pose a health risk. Like Andy said they don't eat on paper towel or in a Rubbermaid in the wild and they seem to do fine

If you're worried just dry off the meal with some paper towel to prevent a lot of eco earth sticking to it. That's when she's on f/t of course lol

regi375 · 03-19-17, 07:15 PM

Welp, I'm now an advocate for feeding tubes. She missed the mouse on her first strike and got a mouthful of dirt she can't spit out. It's been almost a half hour and she still can't seem to get rid of the glob in her mouth. Any suggestions? I'm soaking her right now so...

regi375 · 03-19-17, 07:24 PM

Soaking did the trick (thank god), but I'm still not going to be feeding her in her enclosure anytime soon. ;-;

TRD · 03-19-17, 07:33 PM

If you're so worried about eating some EcoEarth (really you shouldn't) then just put down some paper towel in the enclosure first, then feed on that...

**Aaron_S** · 03-19-17, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regi375

Welp, I'm now an advocate for feeding tubes. She missed the mouse on her first strike and got a mouthful of dirt she can't spit out. It's been almost a half hour and she still can't seem to get rid of the glob in her mouth. Any suggestions? I'm soaking her right now so...

Was it harming her? Snake would have been fine. You're welcome to do it your way though.

regi375 · 03-19-17, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Was it harming her? Snake would have been fine. You're welcome to do it your way though.

It seemed to be. She kept opening her mouth like she was trying to swallow something or get it out, but it just stayed there. Wasn't really able to feed her after that.

**Aaron_S** · 03-20-17, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regi375

It seemed to be. She kept opening her mouth like she was trying to swallow something or get it out, but it just stayed there. Wasn't really able to feed her after that.

It was just stuck. Her mouth is wet so the dry earth stuck to it. She was opening and closing trying to figure a way to swallow it or dislodge it.

Soaking it off is fine but don't be discouraged about feeding in the enclosure.