Slow ball python?

I've had a ball python for 6 months now. Now i got myself another one! After feeding my new baby ball I noticed that the mouse was gone in minutes but it takes my 8 month about a half hour! unlike any normal snake that starts swallowing head first, she starts at the ribs... it takes her several tries to get it right and sometimes eats it backwards. Is this normal?

Are you feeding live or f/t? If f/t, she may not be getting a good heat signature from the head, which may be causing her confusion.

as long as they figure it out sooner or later it shouldn't be a problem, just make sure that it doesn't swallow it backwards... just like people some ball pythons are a little well like you said slower than others

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

as long as they figure it out sooner or later it shouldn't be a problem, just make sure that it doesn't swallow it backwards... just like people some ball pythons are a little well like you said slower than others

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Nothing wrong with swallowing it backwards. I have some that do from time to time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

as long as they figure it out sooner or later it shouldn't be a problem, just make sure that it doesn't swallow it backwards... just like people some ball pythons are a little well like you said slower than others

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Whats wrong with swallowing it backwards?

I feed her f/t. you may be right. the couple times i fed her live she ate it quick. thanks for the replies, guys!

Like yours, my Simon eats slowly, but consistently. It's not nearly as exciting as the feeding videos on YouTube, but he gets the job done. He sometimes starts off eating a prey item backwards and gets hung up on the hind legs, but he sorts himself out and eats his meal eventually. He sometimes takes an hour or two to eat, but I figure that's easier than having to dangle/dance prey items around to entice him, so I'm not complaining.

I feed f/t, FWIW.