First feed success

[Brunoheart]

Hey all, Just wanted to share my good news!
We decided that Wednesday would be our best feed day so that ET can be handled on weekends. Jeff agreed to skip feeding him this past weekend so that he would be good and hungry. He has been taking pre-killed small rats every week for Jeff. I offered a F/T 53g rat tonight around 8 pm and within 1 minute, he struck and coiled. I watched with the tub open until he started repostioning the rat, then slid the tub closed and watched through the front. Once he started swallowing, I left the room for about 20 mintues and when I came back to chack, he was on his way into his hide.
Now I just have to start looking for a girlfriend...lol

[DrEwTiMe]

Hey all, Just wanted to share my good news!
I watched with the tub open until he started repostioning the rat, then slid the tub closed and watched through the front. Once he started swallowing, I left the room for about 20 mintues and when I came back to chack, he was on his way into his hide.
Now I just have to start looking for a girlfriend...lol

Congratulations!! The first feed is always a load off the chest! If i may just make one friendly suggestion.

I would strongly advise against moving anything in the tank pulling hides away or on the snake while they are in the process of eating. I know your very curious about how the process takes place(and it is really cool!!), but any movement like that during the striking/ swallowing process could scare or freak the snake out to the point to then refuse the meal or even worse regurgitate which can cause serious problems.

I used to hate it when my snake pulled he mice into her hide after constriction, but would never move the hide away or put it on her once she was doing her thing.

[Brunoheart]

I didn't move anything except closing his tub (he's in a rack). It is hard to see through the tub and I just wanted to make sure he was actually going to eat and not drop it. When he struck, he grabbed the back of the rat's neck, so when I was sure he was repositioning the rat so he was able to swallow it, I very gently slid the tub back in, then watched through the tub for a minute or two. When I came back 20 minutes later he was moving into his hide which I noted through the tub. Sorry if I wasn't clear and thanks for the tip.

[DrEwTiMe]

ohhhh ok ya i missunderstood what you meant. My fault.. But congrats!!