Retic "playing" with food

[bigjoe5434]

I have a funny acting retic. She is a few months old and when I got her she was on live pink's and was told she was ready for rat pups. Well every meal I have offered was frozen thawed and she has taken the meals. Only problem is she seems to "play" with it. She will bite and wrap it up only to come back 10 minutes later and she left it alone. I tong it up again and she hits it and repeats. Sometimes 3 times before she eats. She will push it around like she is looking for the head and will leave it be at times. It's a little strange as this is only my second retic and my Male has never refused a meal nor has he needed me to try again lol. Any thoughts?

[chairman]

I have two young carpet pythons that tend to do something similar to this. They'll hit the rat, wrap it, then hold it for an extended period of time before eating it. I'll leave them alone overnight and they'll eat.

Snakes are quite vulnerable while eating and immediately after eating. My guess is that these particular animals are being cautious, waiting to eat until the coast is clear. They have already wrapped their prey, they know a dead rat isn't going to go anywhere. Yours is probably eating after several presentations because the "dead" prey keeps moving around, a highly unusual behavior for dead animals.

I'd try covering the enclosure with a blanket or towel before feeding, offering the rat, then finish lowering the blanket into place. The snake may eat more quickly with the extra security.

[bigjoe5434]

Originally Posted by chairman

I have two young carpet pythons that tend to do something similar to this. They'll hit the rat, wrap it, then hold it for an extended period of time before eating it. I'll leave them alone overnight and they'll eat.

Snakes are quite vulnerable while eating and immediately after eating. My guess is that these particular animals are being cautious, waiting to eat until the coast is clear. They have already wrapped their prey, they know a dead rat isn't going to go anywhere. Yours is probably eating after several presentations because the "dead" prey keeps moving around, a highly unusual behavior for dead animals.

I'd try covering the enclosure with a blanket or towel before feeding, offering the rat, then finish lowering the blanket into place. The snake may eat more quickly with the extra security.

This is a great idea thank you!