Striked but didnt eat !?

[lisa77]

It was like he gave up trying to find the nose of the mouse..

Anyone ever had this ?

[tigerlily]

I have one boy that will do this if I offer a prey item that's a bit big. He prefers multiple SMALL!! meals. (and I mean small meals - rats fuzzies) Another reason for striking and not eating could be stress.

[Wild Bill]

It was like he gave up trying to find the nose of the mouse..

Anyone ever had this ?

It can also happen when there is too much movement around them when they are trying to eat. Leave him in a dark room and do not go in for a half hour and see if he eats it.

[lisa77]

Thanks guys..very much appreciated

[frankykeno]

Just remember Lisa when they are swallowing prey they must feel very vulnerable to being prey upon themselves. It's not like they can defend themselves or retreat quickly with a prey item halfway through swallowing so it stands to reason they wouldn't want to eat if anything is happening near them. We had one of our bigger females spit out her rat halfway through swallowing it when we accidentally bumped her tub. We have other snakes that will almost glare at you to go away so they can eat in peace and I know some folks here whose snakes won't eat until they drag their prey back into the hide with them.

[xdeus]

I have a couple of snakes that will do that, but one that seems to do it EVERY time. He'll strike, coil, then start roaming the cage and ignoring his meal. As soon as I pick it up with the tongs he'll strike again. He usually does this three times before he eats, but last week I got lucky and he only did it twice.

[frankykeno]

I have a couple of snakes that will do that, but one that seems to do it EVERY time. He'll strike, coil, then start roaming the cage and ignoring his meal. As soon as I pick it up with the tongs he'll strike again. He usually does this three times before he eats, but last week I got lucky and he only did it twice.

They surely are unique beings aren't they LOL. I swear I'd stand on my head and whistle Dixie if it took that to get a snake to eat. We have some that aren't picky at all and others that have to have their prey exactly this size, presented in exactly this way, etc. or they pull the prima donna routine on us LOL.

[lisa77]

Thanks everyone for your input

[Slithers]

ya i used to think Baby was a murderer...cuz she used to like to kill but not eat her prey.

turns out she was just afraid/stressed out. I tried live every week for 7 weeks, but on the 8th week, she ate a F/T. never went back to live.

There was no reason for her to not eat other than stress, so I changed my presentation (now i give it to her in a dark room, when I know she is hunting) (or give it to her in a small dark box)

I think if Baby ever saw another live rat she would faint...but ya she used to kill them out of defense and then leave them.

Snakes are not used to being 'trapped' in close quarters with a live rat...if they feel stressed they might strike out of defense not hunger.

It seems like my snakes search for the head excessively when the prey item is too small. They want to eat the side or the tail. I up the size if possible and then they go straight for the nose.

[lisa77]

ya i used to think Baby was a murderer...cuz she used to like to kill but not eat her prey.

turns out she was just afraid/stressed out. I tried live every week for 7 weeks, but on the 8th week, she ate a F/T. never went back to live.

There was no reason for her to not eat other than stress, so I changed my presentation (now i give it to her in a dark room, when I know she is hunting) (or give it to her in a small dark box)

I think if Baby ever saw another live rat she would faint...but ya she used to kill them out of defense and then leave them.

Snakes are not used to being 'trapped' in close quarters with a live rat...if they feel stressed they might strike out of defense not hunger.

It seems like my snakes search for the head excessively when the prey item is too small. They want to eat the side or the tail. I up the size if possible and then they go straight for the nose.

I dont feed live so it cant be that...I have only ever fed F/T.

Another thing, since he did this on weds he is out & about all the time..I havent once seen him in his hide.. even during the day