suddenly shy eater

[tttaylorrr]

after i moved Yellow into his T8 he didn't eat for a week or two, which i expected due to the stress. he's eating fine now, however he doesn't strike at the prey anymore; he hasn't struck once since the move. i offer F/T, he sticks his snoot out and is interested, but tucks back into his hide. i leave the prey in overnight and it's always gone; he hasn't missed a feeding since his lil hunger strike.

i'm just curious what could make him a suddenly shy feeder. it's kind of frustrating, but since he's eating regularly i know i shouldn't put too much thought into it.

anyone else have an experience like this, and did they ever start striking prey again?

[bcr229]

Some snakes don't strike dead prey, they're survivors and use the least amount of energy required to feed.

Now that said if you think he's backing off of eating, which isn't uncommon for mature males, you may want to put him on a 10 or 14 day feeding schedule so you don't waste feeders.

[tttaylorrr]

Some snakes don't strike dead prey, they're survivors and use the least amount of energy required to feed.

that makes a lot of sense. maybe he just knows the drill now?

Now that said if you think he's backing off of eating, which isn't uncommon for mature males, you may want to put him on a 10 or 14 day feeding schedule so you don't waste feeders.

he's eaten every time offered since going back on feeding after the move, but every time i've left it in the tank because he just won't strike; he has always taken it after i've left it. also around day 7 he's tearing up his enclosure looking for food.

it's just weird (and a little frustrating) to me how he suddenly seems to only want to take it when it's been left for him. i'm just curious if anyone else has had a snake go through a shy feeder phase or if it's something he's just cool with now.

[CALM Pythons]

Ive had them do it now and then...no perticukar time though. Im always worried and then when i go back 2 hours later its gone so im happy with that... Heck I wish they would all stop striking so I can hand it out without watching my arm or fingers hahahahaha.

[JodanOrNoDan]

If there has been a major change in the size of the enclosure it could be a security issue. He may feel too exposed to strike outside his hide. These animals are all over the board with feeding behaviors. I am beginning to believe it has a lot to do with the first few days of life and what the environment is at that time. I have very few feeding issues and zero aggression issues with babies I have hatched. My babies are touched and manipulated from the time their noses poke out of the egg. The first thing they see is me. Feeding and aggression issues have always come from the outside. Most adapt, some do not. I have very few adult females that have hides. The ones that do are ones with interesting feeding issues like you are experiencing. I have one girl that will only strike from inside her hide. One that will only strike if I put the rat's head in her hide, and one that will only eat if i put the rat in the hide with her (FT). The last one has never struck once in the time I have had her. About 25% of my babies will go through a phase of only striking from inside the hide but they outgrow this behavior in a couple of feedings. Most of the animals I have will actually come half way out of the tub to eat on feeding day. A lot of words on my part, but the short answer is, the snake may outgrow it, it may not. If you are not already, try feeding with very little light. As long as the animal is eating though, I would not worry about it.

[CALM Pythons]

If there has been a major change in the size of the enclosure it could be a security issue. He may feel too exposed to strike outside his hide. These animals are all over the board with feeding behaviors. I am beginning to believe it has a lot to do with the first few days of life and what the environment is at that time. I have very few feeding issues and zero aggression issues with babies I have hatched. My babies are touched and manipulated from the time their noses poke out of the egg. The first thing they see is me. Feeding and aggression issues have always come from the outside. Most adapt, some do not. I have very few adult females that have hides. The ones that do are ones with interesting feeding issues like you are experiencing. I have one girl that will only strike from inside her hide. One that will only strike if I put the rat's head in her hide, and one that will only eat if i put the rat in the hide with her (FT). The last one has never struck once in the time I have had her. About 25% of my babies will go through a phase of only striking from inside the hide but they outgrow this behavior in a couple of feedings. Most of the animals I have will actually come half way out of the tub to eat on feeding day. A lot of words on my part, but the short answer is, the snake may outgrow it, it may not. If you are not already, try feeding with very little light. As long as the animal is eating though, I would not worry about it.

i agree with everything you said.. Especially about how things are when they are hatched ect... 29 years Ive been playing this game and your Spot on

[tttaylorrr]

If there has been a major change in the size of the enclosure it could be a security issue. He may feel too exposed to strike outside his hide.

that's a huge possibility. i've given him three hides, maybe he's still not used to the space yet. the move wasn't that long ago.

These animals are all over the board with feeding behaviors. I am beginning to believe it has a lot to do with the first few days of life and what the environment is at that time. I have very few feeding issues and zero aggression issues with babies I have hatched. My babies are touched and manipulated from the time their noses poke out of the egg. The first thing they see is me. Feeding and aggression issues have always come from the outside. Most adapt, some do not. I have very few adult females that have hides. The ones that do are ones with interesting feeding issues like you are experiencing. I have one girl that will only strike from inside her hide. One that will only strike if I put the rat's head in her hide, and one that will only eat if i put the rat in the hide with her (FT). The last one has never struck once in the time I have had her. About 25% of my babies will go through a phase of only striking from inside the hide but they outgrow this behavior in a couple of feedings. Most of the animals I have will actually come half way out of the tub to eat on feeding day.

i really appreciate your insight. thank you for sharing!

A lot of words on my part, but the short answer is, the snake may outgrow it, it may not. If you are not already, try feeding with very little light. As long as the animal is eating though, I would not worry about it.

i know i shouldn't worry but of course i do, lol. next feeding i'll turn all the lights out.

thank you so much for your reply!

[tttaylorrr]

Ive had them do it now and then...no perticukar time though. Im always worried and then when i go back 2 hours later its gone so im happy with that... Heck I wish they would all stop striking so I can hand it out without watching my arm or fingers hahahahaha.

hahaha, but where's the fun in that!? and i feel the same: in the morning when i check it makes me so happy that it's gone. makes for easier cleanup, too.

[JodanOrNoDan]

i agree with everything you said.. Especially about how things are when they are hatched ect... 29 years Ive been playing this game and your Spot on

Good to hear I am not the only one thinking like this.