Large rat too big??

[Lolo76]

My big girl Mona is around 2300g, and I usually give her either 1-2 small rats or 1 medium rat weekly... but today I bought her a (smallish) large rat, since the medium ones looked kinda puny. She had no problem killing it, although it did take longer than usual, but then she couldn't swallow the rat. She tried for a good 10 minutes from all angles, and eventually dropped it in frustration and glared at me - seriously. Luckily I had an extra small rat (refused by another snake), and she ate that instead without any trouble.

So, apparently a large rat is too much for even a BIG ball python? Or was it just because she's only had small/med in the past? Anyone here feed large rats, and if so, how big is the snake? Just curious! And a bit annoyed about the wasted $6, since there's no way any of my other snakes could've finished it off.

[CoolioTiffany]

She was most likely trying to find the head of the rat. Candice does this to me all the time, but finally gets it. Your girl was probably still trying to find the head, though.

[Lolo76]

She was most likely trying to find the head of the rat. Candice does this to me all the time, but finally gets it. Your girl was probably still trying to find the head, though.

No, she had the head just fine! When I finally pulled the rat out, it was soaking wet from head to neck... and the body was dry. So I wonder what her issue was?

[CoolioTiffany]

No, she had the head just fine! When I finally pulled the rat out, it was soaking wet from head to neck... and the body was dry. So I wonder what her issue was?

Sometimes my girl also gets is right on the head, but then lets go to find it again? I don't get her sometimes, she's silly.

[Quiet Tempest]

I've fed mine large rats before and though it took a bit longer for them to swallow, they had no problems getting it down and digesting. Maybe she's just so accustomed to the smaller rats that she felt intimidated by the larger one? I dunno..?

[greghall]

Go smaller my spider female did the same thing got rid of some old breeder rats I knew she was a aggresive feeder so she got him killed him good & tried for hours to get him down spit it out & didnt touch it again she is 2300grams.

[Big Gunns]

My big girl Mona is around 2300g, and I usually give her either 1-2 small rats or 1 medium rat weekly... but today I bought her a (smallish) large rat, since the medium ones looked kinda puny. She had no problem killing it, although it did take longer than usual, but then she couldn't swallow the rat. She tried for a good 10 minutes from all angles, and eventually dropped it in frustration and glared at me - seriously. Luckily I had an extra small rat (refused by another snake), and she ate that instead without any trouble.

So, apparently a large rat is too much for even a BIG ball python? Or was it just because she's only had small/med in the past? Anyone here feed large rats, and if so, how big is the snake? Just curious! And a bit annoyed about the wasted $6, since there's no way any of my other snakes could've finished it off.

Although it may have been harder for her to eat it, she may have got it down if you didn't disturb her. If you keep looking at your snake while it's eating, it may quit trying to eat it from all the movement. This has happened to BG many times. You would be surprised what they can get down if nothing disturbs them. Next time don't look at your snake for a couple of hours.

[pavlovk1025]

If I think my snake can take a large rat, Ill feed it a medium. You can never go wrong with a smaller prey size. But I agree with the master, BG...you'd be surprised how much they can stretch themselves to accomadate larger prey. Just dont look...I mean...on Thanksgiving, are you going to loosen your belt while everyone's watching or just very casually, under the table before you dive into seconds?