Snake circling mouse... mean anything?

[kimmm]

So yesterday I went to feed my ball pythons, and my baby Bella didn't eat. Instead, she circled the mouse for about three minutes. Then they were like licking and cuddling with each other! Haha She did look smokey so I know she's probably not eating because she's about to shed, but does it mean anything for them to circle around the mouse? I took a picture, but no videos..



Please let me know if the picture doesn't work..

[kimmm]

http://i48.tinypic.com/346ltw4.jpg

[tlich]

Not sure if there's a reason for going around the mouse like that, but you know you can feed the snake in its enclosure, moving it to feed could cause stress and refusals to eat.

[kimmm]

Really?! I was always told to feed in a separate cardboard box because if the snake is in the tank it will see it's reflection and get confused.. & also it will start to think that anything I put in the tank is food..

[Dracoluna]

Really?! I was always told to feed in a separate cardboard box because if the snake is in the tank it will see it's reflection and get confused.. & also it will start to think that anything I put in the tank is food..

That's more of a myth where ball pythons are concerned. As they take a bit longer to look at their prey than say a corn snake, if you don't smell like a mouse/rat and things you put in there don't smell like a mouse/rat, they won't just start striking. I used to feed in separate enclosures exclusively (and still do with my corns) but for my bps, they get fed in their tubs and I have yet to see any sign of aggression or feeding type behavior towards anything but their intended dinner.

[Willie76]

Maybe he's a vegetarian.


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[Artemille]

I once fed a ball a live rat in its enclosure, and after a few moments of sniffing, both the snake and the rat fell asleep in separate corners. It was an interesting sight.

[Royal Chick]

I have fed Perritas in her tank for six years and she has yet to mistake my hand for her food. I have pics of her and a rat playing hide and seek when she was in blue.



She did eventually get ahold of hiim after I dangled it in front of her face

[kimmm]

Well I know my babies would never bite me.. I just always fed them in a separate box. I have two ball pythons and I keep them in the same tank. Should I feed one in the tank and feed the other one in a separate box?

[Dracoluna]

Well I know my babies would never bite me.. I just always fed them in a separate box. I have two ball pythons and I keep them in the same tank. Should I feed one in the tank and feed the other one in a separate box?

Yes, though I'd seriously consider separating them. Unless you're experienced with keeping snakes, I don't recommend keeping more than one per enclosure. They are not communal animals and there are many potential problems that can arise from cohabbing which you can read up on in the caresheets and posts here on the forums.