Ball trying to eat itself?

wizbit13 · 10-10-04, 11:01 AM

Hi. Every time I feed my BP he always tries to eat himself. Sometimes before he has eaten his rat and sometimes after. I have to stop him, using the tongs that I use to feed him. Is this common with Balls or have I got a wierd one??
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Kevin McRae · 10-10-04, 11:05 AM

Sounds odd to me, but if he only does it when feeding and your watching, there shouldn't be a problem, just make sure to stop him...

Bartman · 10-10-04, 12:02 PM

wow thats really funny. Ive never seen that in any of my ball's, but I only have 2.

So now its just important to watch him so he doesnt actually eat himself.

wizbit13 · 10-10-04, 12:41 PM

Yer im keeping a close eye on him every time I feed him. He has done it probably 3 or 4 times in the past few weeks. He constricts the rat (frozen thawed) for ages and sometimes lets it go altogether and tries to eat himself instead. Must be that he gets the smell of the rat on his own body and gets confused. He has got to be the dullest snake ever. He tries to eat the rats from the centre of the body rather than from the head and takes ages before he actually realises what he is doing wrong. But at least he is eating well, so I should not complain really.

Regards

Adam

latazyo · 10-10-04, 12:59 PM

is there any indication that he could be blind, causing him to just eat rat smelling warm things, instead of going for the head, etc??

wizbit13 · 10-10-04, 01:14 PM

No he definately is not blind. He watches me all the time when I move around his Rubbermaid and coils up into a ball when I put the lid back on because it makes him nervous when the lid id coming down on top of him. Good thought though!!!

Adam

Kevin McRae · 10-10-04, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wizbit13
No he definately is not blind. He watches me all the time when I move around his Rubbermaid and coils up into a ball when I put the lid back on because it makes him nervous when the lid id coming down on top of him. Good thought though!!!

Adam

Even if he is blind he could still know your there, by his heat sensing pits and by vibrations....

VI Reptiles · 10-10-04, 02:33 PM

snakes have horrible eye sight so your pretty much a blur to them, they use heat sensing and smell to hunt there prey.

Bartman · 10-10-04, 02:41 PM

And im pretty sure they dont see the head and go for it, but smell where the head is and swallow it. Could just mean its an aggressive eater?

arkuden · 10-10-04, 02:55 PM

that is really odd ive never seen my bp try to do that. Although im feeding him a stunned rat right now (slow switching to f/t from live mice) he is trying to eat it butt first. It is kinda humorus but i dont think hes going to have a very easy time of it that way.

I always get very nervous feeding rats to my BP though. They are always soooo much bigger and its kinda scary just becuase i wouldnt think that any size that size would be able to take a rat that size. The pet stores tell me its ok though. Maybe ill post a pic in relation to like a can or pop bottle and you can help me find out the right size rats to be feeding. The pet stores around here are kinda shaky in terms of good service and knowledge....I hate smaller towns

Ryan and Katie · 10-10-04, 03:02 PM

I have seen a few animals with this same habit. I am guessing that he smells the rat on his body and assumes that he should have another snack. You may want to wipe him down with a damp paper towel just after he finishes his meal.. Easier said than done but it may help...

marisa · 10-10-04, 04:24 PM

I am with Ryan and Katie on this one. I have a couple kingsnakes who try and eat themselves all the time. I have had one king get quite a few inches into himself as well before letting it all up again.

It's not as common with balls probably, but I don't think its anything to worry about. You know it's a habit of his now, so just keep a good eye.

Marisa

wizbit13 · 10-10-04, 04:58 PM

Ok cheers for the replies everyone. Looks like I will have to have to give him a spray with some deodorant to get rid of the smell of rat off him!!! (JOKE) Ill just keep a close eye on him whenever I feed him. Always do anyway so it aint a problem.

Cheers

Adam

snakehunter · 10-10-04, 08:20 PM

My newt chased and bit his tail today when I fed him, everything I put in front off him he nips at after he has eaten, I think that it is just a feeding frenzy thing.

hooter · 10-10-04, 11:33 PM

Intresting topic and cute BP btw. Sorry I am of no help lol this is for sure strange!!!