Incredibly Calm Eating Sessions

[JPost]

I just wanted to see if this was normal.

I have a baby ball python who was brought up on frozen/thawed. It eats just fine, it's just the way it eats is what I find strange. I heat the pinky mouse up in a plastic disposable bowl with super hot water. I let it soak and soak until it's no longer hard at all. Then I proceed to hold it with my tongs I have and dangle it by my snake. He shows absolutely no signs of aggression really, no striking or anything.

All he does is moves slowly towards the dangling mouse and slowing opens his mouth and takes it from me gently. He doesn't try to constrict it or anything, just starts swallowing it right away.

Now, the very first time I did this there was a strike (See Video), but it hasn't happened since. (Nevermind the crumpled newspaper, I was just trying to take up space in a larger tub until I got the holes in his smaller house so he wouldn't get stressed.)

YouTube - Ball Python - 1st Feeding

I don't find this to be a problem at all, just found it kind of interesting.

ALSO, do you guys think he could eat larger than a pinky? It seems like he gets them down really fast and was wondering if I should move up a size.

[PythonBreeder]

He should defiantly be up to hoppers right out the egg. The VERY soon after I feed adult mice. And it is very normal for him to just take it gently. I have a few that do that.

[TylerxToxic]

When I fed mine f/t thats what she would do. it was weird but I think its fine. lol

[Kaorte]

I think that snake could easily do with a small adult mouse or a large hopper. Pinkies are way to small.

Also, when you are thawing, make sure the water isn't too hot, it looks like you might have cooked the pinkie a little bit.

[kc261]

A pinkie is way too small of a meal for that snake. I'd move him up to hoppers immediately, and then after a couple meals up to adult mice. He probably could take a small adult mouse right now with no issue at all, but a more gradual change might work better.

Some snakes don't bother to strike & constrict meals that are already dead. Also, some won't constrict a live meal that is very small. They seem to know it can't possibly harm them, and it is possible some instinct is telling them not to waste the energy since there isn't enough calories in that meal to start with.

If you move up to bigger f/t, your snake might or might not start constricting, but either way is fine.

[mainbutter]

Snakes that don't constrict f/t or p/k just seem to understand that it isn't necessary No issues there.

[JPost]

Ok, well that is a relief it's normal. I planned on moving her up in food size this next feeding. I think I'll just move up gradually and not just throw a full size mouse in at the moment. I'll give him a few "in-between" sizes first.

Thanks for the help!

[unrezt]

Hmm, cute lol.