Success!

[sneakerpro]

CELEBRATE!

Any of you that have been on the "moral support" thread are aware that I have been having trouble feeding my BP, and decided to try a live prey item as a solution. I wasn't very happy about feeding live, but I was worried about Slyder, so I did what needed to be done.

I had the mouse in a plastic "Kritter Keeper" with some aspen bedding and a small water dish. I placed the entire KK inside the aquarium on the opposite side of the tank from where the snake was to pre-scent. After about 45 minutes, and dimming the lights, Slyder came out to investigate the KK, flicking his tongue all over the vents on the top of the KK.

There is a small 2"x3" door on the top of the KK that I opened to let Slyder enter and feed at his own pace. I thought this would work better than offering it with tongs because Slyder has always seemed to dislike the tongs. After opening the small door Slyder was hovering over it with his head just barely inside the KK. He had his neck in an "S" and was just watching the mouse scurry around. After about 3-4 minutes of just watching the mouse he struck, coiled, squeezed, and swallowed, and "that's all she freakin' wrote".

After the mouse was completely down he investigated the KK for a few minutes as if he expected another mouse to jump out. When he realized it was empty he retired to his cool side hide for about an hour. Then, he came out for a drink of water and spent the rest of the night in the warm side hide. I expected a large mouse-shaped lump in his midsection, but he really just looked larger all over.

This was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in person. I have watched videos of people feeding their snakes, but it seems so much faster in person. I am in awe of how fast he moved, and how precise the strike was. However, even more amazing to me is the feeling I had after a successful feeding. It was such a sense of elation, pride, and relief. Slyder ate that mouse like he hadn't had a decent meal his whole life. WOOHOO!

[littleindiangirl]

Congratulations! Here's to many more successful feedings in the future!

[sneakerpro]

The feeding was last night, but I have still felt SO good all day today. *sigh* All is well in the kingdom... a.k.a. my apartment.

[reptile3]

that is awesome!! Watching them eat, is amazing!

[cassandra]

Awesome, congrats!

A snake striking his/her meal still amazes me...so much beautiful power...and then the *nomnomnomnom!*

[ChrisBowsman]

[CENTER]....I wasn't very happy about feeding live....

Feeding live really bothered me in the beginning, but before you know it, you end up with kind of a clinical view on it.

Oh, and congratulations on the successful feed!