Hi everyone I recently got my first ever snake, Malachi, a pastel lesser yellowbelly.

Before him, I had never even touched a snake before. Only seen them through glass. It really was love at first sight for me!

So, even though he was new, about 2 days into owning him, he would sit with his head out of his hide at night, and I think I remembered reading that means he wanted to eat? But I decided to wait a few days anyway. So tonight, he was out of his hide so I decided to try feeding him. I thawed the hopper in hot water for 10 minutes, and opened his tank, moved it around to get him interested, let him smell it, and then BAM!! he struck it hard and fast! WOW I did not see that coming! I was SO PROUD of my little perfect hunter!

I literally am still shaking a little it was so exciting... I know that probably sounds weird being excited to feed a snake, but I've just never done it before and I've been so worried he would never eat with me...but he did ;-; I'm just so happy and proud of him. He swallowed it quickly, too, so he must have been super hungry!

Was it normal that he lifted his head/neck while he was swallowing?

I look forward to many more years and feedings with my boy <3