Will a BP eat something that is "too big"?

[BrandiR]

Like my 21lb Maine Coon cat?

Just kidding. But seriously....Two feedings ago I decided that it was time to switch to rats. When I went to the pet store to get my rat, I asked for a "small" and the guy let me pick out the one I wanted. Obviously I didn't have the snake with me so I just chose the smallest one in the tank and it looked doable. Only when I got it home did I realize that it might be a little much. It didn't seem very big at all until I was able to actually see the two of them together (snake/rat). I don't weigh out my prey, I just eyeball it and it looked to be maybe slightly larger than 1.5 as big around as the snake (I throw this in so you don't think I'm trying to feed it a 9" in diameter rat...it really was a close call).

The snake took it pretty quickly. It took her twice as long to kill it as it has mice, and probably three times as long to swallow it. But, she got it down. After she ate, her behavior was the same as any other feeding. She had some water and retired to her hot-side hide (I just heard that as a rap while I was typing it).

Last week, I got another rat. This one was a little smaller than the first, but still looked a little large to me. Again, the snake ate it.

Tomorrow is feeding day again, so maybe before I continue this I should make sure it's ok. Can any harm come from eating things that are too big, or will they just not be able to eat it if it's too big? I'm going to try a different store tomorrow and see if they have something smaller. I usually buy feeders at Petco and their selection is pretty limited. I called a mom-and-pop shop (rap again!) and they said they have a larger variety. So, if I can get something smaller I will, but if I can't should I try to double up on mice until she gets a littler bigger, or keep doing what I do?

[RobNJ]

Yes they will, and it can be harmful...but if it eats, digests, and passes everything just fine, the meal was likely not too big.

[BrandiR]

Yes they will, and it can be harmful...but if it eats, digests, and passes everything just fine, the meal was likely not too big.

Well, she has certainly "passed" both of them just fine!

[TheSnakeGuy]

I had to try the same experiment a couple months ago. I had a small BP who was eating 2 adult mice at a time. I went to get a hopper rat, but all that was available were small rats. So I bought one and gave it a go. The rat was probably 20% wider than the snake, but she took it down like a champ after just about 10 minutes longer than normal with no I'll effects. Kinda cool watching a python using every inch of its body to subdue it's prey.