Need a question answered

[whiSki08]

I have had my baby ball since Valentines 2016 and he's been feeding every 5 days. Tonight he struck, wrapped, and attempted to eat. The problem is that from my viewing looks like he couldn't get an angle on the mouse to swallow so he gave up. My question is should I pull the mouse out and thaw another, wait to see if he goes after him, or just try feeding him again Tuesday?

Thank you!

[whiSki08]

I will also add that he's just laying on the mouse.

[Jon14]

I would leave the mouse in there for a few hours. He may try to eat it later on.

[whiSki08]

Ok I give that a try.

[Willowy]

If he'll let you, take the mouse and arrange it in a way he can easily get the head. One of mine did that the other day---struck and coiled but couldn't get a good angle, so he dropped it and went back in his hide. I arranged the mouse outside his hide with its head at a good angle, and the next time I looked, it was gone. If he won't let you move it, don't worry. He'll figure it out.

[whiSki08]

Right now he's just laying his head on the mouse's body.

[bcr229]

Just leave him alone for the night. If the mouse is still there in the morning then you can throw it out and try feeding again in five days.

When mine get to the point where they're "killing" but not eating I extend the time between feedings a bit, so you can try shifting to a seven week schedule after the next feeding.

[whiSki08]

Ok. Guess that's the plan. I'm wanting to go to bed and didn't know how much longer I needed to stay up.

[stickyalvinroll]

I think you should take it out before the carcass attracts any flees. Try again next time. I had this happen many times. Refreeze that one and try again next time

[whiSki08]

Just an update because it happened to me again tonight. What I did last Thursday and tonight was when he moved away from the mouse I picked it up and threw it out. Based on the opportunistic feeding style of these snakes I decided to thaw another and try again when he was in a space that wasn't so cramped. Both last Thursday and tonight he struck and fed. Hopes this help anybody else out that might have the same problem.