Eating backwards

[derwood.cronshaw]

My python is eating the rat feet first, what do I do? Please help!

[coldbloodaddict]

Nothing...

[dalvers63]

First off, don't worry about it. As long as he's eating it really doesn't matter HOW he eats.

You might want to reevaluate the size of prey you're giving him. The main reason I've had snakes start to take rats/mice backwards is when it's smaller than what they would usually eat.

[derwood.cronshaw]

He just cant get the rear legs to fit in his mouth. The rat is the girth of my python, so its the appropriate size and all, he just cant figure it out.

[starmom]

I would let him eat and do nothing!
Here's what happened to us last week: Our rats are typically with white heads. Feeding last week included a number of rats with a brown or black head and white body. Our axanthic would not eat the rat even after two attempts. We warmed the rat up again (we feed f/t) and offered the rat backwards- white bottom first. The axanthic struck, coiled and ate.
So, was it the color or something else? Don't know, lol. The point is, she ate it butt first with no ill affects. And from now on, I'll make certain she gets an all-white rat

[derwood.cronshaw]

Yea, this one is all white, and I think he just figured it out.

I just checked and the rear of the rat is starting to be digested and all slimy and gross, but he figured it out and just found the head.

Thanks everyone. I love this site so much!

[Mochelem]

Yea, this one is all white, and I think he just figured it out.

I just checked and the rear of the rat is starting to be digested and all slimy and gross, but he figured it out and just found the head.

Thanks everyone. I love this site so much!

Ive had that happen before, they try to eat it but the back legs wont go in, Ive had one of two things happen

1. The snake spits out the prey, then finds the head....

2. I have a girl who is a very agreesive feeder and she has done this a few time, she forces that rat down backwards and breaks the hind legs with her mouth.... Kinda creepy you can hear the legs break....

[derwood.cronshaw]

Oh gross, I hope he doesnt break legs like that. Ewww