Feeding problems

[Megz]

Hey so recently I have been feeding my ball and she has been all finicky. Like she wouldn't eat for two weeks I fed her and she was eating and then left it. And I fed her and she left it for a weekend etc. ugh. So finally she eats and ate perfectly I might add. Now tonight I feed her and I don't know how but she managed to pop the guts or something brown out and that stuck to a lot of shavings. I know they can injest a few but it was a big blob of shavings stuck to what I will call the guts. I tried to pull some off but couldn't get many. Then she had a difficult time swallowing and I'm kinda freaking out. Her face smells to by the way. I also wanted to ask when feeding my ball seem to bite at the side of the rat and then she takes forever to find the head so she can eat. Is that normal? Am I doing something wrong? So I just wanted to ask and get some opinions on the matter as well what u guys think. Thanks so much

[Megz]

Sorry the other concern I have that I forgot to mention was that do u think the shavings could have scratched up her throat or got stuck. I don't know and so it scared me. She was moving find after but still. And this may be a dumb question but do u think the guts/poo would infect her per say. I mean cause its suppose to stay on the inside of the rat ugh. I know I sound crazy but I'm all scared for my little girl

[treeboa]

The way she eats is normal. The rat either popped open from the freezing weakening the skin or from overheating it. The guts get digested anyway so this doesn't hurt them. I wouldn't worry about the shavings. They will probably just pass through her. You could avoid the shavings by feeding on a paper towel. If you temps are good and she has places to hide, she's OK skipping a meal or two now and then. A lot of BPs do that.

[Samii]

I've got a question unrelated. My BP always feeds backwards. I offer him the head and he takes it, but he always readjusts so he eats from the tail end first. I never really thought much of it until recently I've seen a few people express concern about their snakes doing it once or twice. Why is that? Does it matter that my baby does it all the time?

[treeboa]

No, doesn't matter which end they take first. Some snakes are just weird! I had a Puff Adder that tried to eat it's rodents sideways before finally giving up and taking one end or the other. Did it his whole life!

[SlitherinSisters]

What kind of shavings are you using?

Everything else sounds normal. F/t will often pop, especially if it's the second time you have thawed them out. If it takes her a while or she doesn't eat it after she coils it you should leave her alone as soon as you see her constrict the prey. Some BPs are very shy and don't like an audience or commotion in the same room while they eat.

[Megz]

What kind of shavings are you using?

Everything else sounds normal. F/t will often pop, especially if it's the second time you have thawed them out. If it takes her a while or she doesn't eat it after she coils it you should leave her alone as soon as you see her constrict the prey. Some BPs are very shy and don't like an audience or commotion in the same room while they eat.

I use aspen shavings I recently changed from my cypress mulch cause I saw spinetails (well the little white tiny bugs)

[Megz]

Another rat popped open again. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong this has never happened before except the one last time. I'm not dethawing and refreezing or anything I freezer them take them out to dethaw and heat up in warm water. Is there any way I can stop these from popping cause she keeps getting guys on her and its just gross. This didn't use to happen

[bcr229]

Another rat popped open again. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong this has never happened before except the one last time. I'm not dethawing and refreezing or anything I freezer them take them out to dethaw and heat up in warm water. Is there any way I can stop these from popping cause she keeps getting guys on her and its just gross. This didn't use to happen

How long have the rats been in the freezer? I read that if they get freezer burned they're more likely to pop as that can weaken the skin. Also, how hot is your hot water? My hot water heater is set to 110*F and I've never had a snake pop a feeder, but I figure it's just a matter of time with 25 snakes in the house.

[Megz]

How long have the rats been in the freezer? I read that if they get freezer burned they're more likely to pop as that can weaken the skin. Also, how hot is your hot water? My hot water heater is set to 110*F and I've never had a snake pop a feeder, but I figure it's just a matter of time with 25 snakes in the house.

Oh snap maybe my water is too hot cause I put the rat in a baggy so it stays dry but I put 195* F in cause I find it warms it up well and faster. U think that could be the problem. Ill definitely try with 110*