What the heck is going on?

[iHAZreptiles]

Today I tried to feed my BP. I feed him f/t and use tongs and grab it by the tail and wiggle around the cage. Once my BP caught the scent he started hissing and approached the mouse. He struck at the mouse close to it's butt and constricted it for all of 3 seconds, let go and slithered into his hide. I then was started picking up the mouse to dispose of since I waited 10 minutes and it seemed he wasn't eating. As I was lifting up the mouse he struck out of his hide and almost halfway across the cage grabbed the face and started constricting it, AGAIN! After a few mins of constricting he let go slithered a lap around his cage and is now slowly not-so-surely eating his food. So can someone tell me, WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!?!

[Skittles1101]

I have at least 2 ball pythons that refuse to eat unless they are physically inside their hides. Maybe he just felt better striking from inside the hide. As long as he ate, I really wouldn't worry about it.

[iHAZreptiles]

Well he finished eating so I guess he's okay...I just thought it was pretty bizzare

[SlitherinSisters]

If he does it again leave the room for awhile and give him some peace and quite to eat his meal. I have a couple that if I move their tub or look at them wrong after they kill the prey, they will uncoil and leave the prey. When they let go of a prey after they constrict it 90% of the time they will eat it if you leave them be as long as the prey item isn't too large.

[pigfat]

Mine does the same thing. I fed him yesterday and after he got done constricting it he looked at me and started towards me. I left the room and got where he couldnt see me and after about 2-3 minutes he ate it.

[kitedemon]

It does sound a bit like a security issue give him some quite after he strikes and see if he will take it the first time.

[flyingsqueak]

It could also have been a temperature issue.

[aldebono]

I know it's hard not to meddle in the affairs of ball pythons when it comes to eating but my rule of thumb is. If it is prekilled or f/t and they strike and coil, WALK AWAY!

"Well, I want to make sure.." WALK AWAY!
"But, what if.." NO! WALK AWAY!

Check if they ate it in the morning, but for now... well, you know.