How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
Sometimes my BP will strike and constrict a mouse INSTANTLY. Other times I have to wait and wait and wait and prod and sometimes battle to get the thing to eat. Even other times the snake will show interest, stalk the mouse, etc., but I cannot stand around for 30+ minutes while the snake moves towards the mouse and the mouse runs and hides.
What should I do? I need some efficient feeding methods.
Re: How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EvesFriend
Sometimes my BP will strike and constrict a mouse INSTANTLY. Other times I have to wait and wait and wait and prod and sometimes battle to get the thing to eat. Even other times the snake will show interest, stalk the mouse, etc., but I cannot stand around for 30+ minutes while the snake moves towards the mouse and the mouse runs and hides.
What should I do? I need some efficient feeding methods.
I'm not sure what your feeding routine or schedule is, but off the top of my head:
1) feed later in the evening when the snake is awake.
2) Since it seems you are feeding live keep the mouse in a small container with air holes near or on top of the enclosure so the snake can smell it for a while and get in the mood.
3) If you are feeding every 5 days try switching to 7 days. If you feeding every 7 days try switching to 9 or 10 days.
4) If you are using a tank and it has alot of open space, you may need to add a little more clutter or cover 3 sides of it, if you haven't already done so...
Re: How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
From my limited experience I would say you do not have too many options. Each snake has their own method on stalking and eating. If your snake eats pre-kill or f/t then by you offering it on the end of tongs 2-3 inches from the snakes nose may cut down your feeding time. Just make sure the prey is good and warm. I use hair dryer. I have a slow eater not striking sometimes more than 30 minutes & and my newer snake strikes as soon as you offer f/t or pre-kill. How often do you feed? A hungry snake sometimes strikes a little quicker. :hungry:
Re: How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
Yep, definitely agree with the posts above. Being that you mentioned the mouse running away I'll take that to mean you're doing live only feedings. So when it comes to that best you can do is follow the info in the first post, you may just be feeding slightly too often, so some days the snake just isn't really in the mood to chomp down with gusto. Or it may be a matter of there just being too much space for the mouse to run and dodge the snake if the cage is relatively large and open, so some clutter might help force the mouse to stick closer to the snake.
I know I had to adjust my feeding schedule quite a few times anywhere from 5-10 days between feedings as some days the snake would be hunting days before it was feeding time or other times would suddenly just not act quite as interested when it came feeding day. So sometimes you just have to adjust a day or two in or out accordingly.
Re: How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
Mine dont...you can wiggle it around all you want but he will ignore it and actualy back away from it if you hold it to close. Tango prefers privacy, drop in the F/T and turn out the lights....as soon as you walk away it will be gone before you even sit down, lol.
I have a shy Pyhon, lol. :D
Re: How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tonyaltn
Mine dont...you can wiggle it around all you want but he will ignore it and actualy back away from it if you hold it to close. Tango prefers privacy, drop in the F/T and turn out the lights....as soon as you walk away it will be gone before you even sit down, lol.
I have a shy Pyhon, lol. :D
I feed live so I can't just drop it in and leave. I have actually tried to feed her dead mice before and they just stayed there all night. She is a vicious, vicious killer and only prefers warm blooded, live, fresh meat.
Re: How long should it take for a BP to strike and coil its prey?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EvesFriend
I feed live so I can't just drop it in and leave. I have actually tried to feed her dead mice before and they just stayed there all night. She is a vicious, vicious killer and only prefers warm blooded, live, fresh meat.
Lol. Obviously the blood of the dead mouse wasn't warm enough :) I couldn't resist.
