Should a BP strike/constrict F/T food?

The previous owner of my 6yo BP said he fed live mice in a cardboard box, and that the snake didn't want to be watched while eating. I also know collective wisdom is that BPs should be fed in their tank, and I have a higher risk of getting bit when moving the snake back after feeding, but I figure if this is the routine he's used to, I don't want to mess with it.

With F/T mice dipped in chicken broth, I've tried doing the zombie dance, but no strike. I've left the mouse in the box, and backed away, watching quietly. In all cases, he doesn't strike, and doesn't constrict. He sniffs the mouse over, and starts eating.

He's also tried eating sideways twice. Once he gave up and lost interest in his dinner. Once he tried, and after considerable failing managed to get it rotated, and then with difficulty due to the hind legs got it down butt first.

I figure I should be thanking my lucky stars that he's eating at all, but is this normal?

Its fine lol all of mine have different eating habits. As long as she's taking it you have nothing to worry about.

Cheers,
Chris

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Generally they do strike and constrict. I've seen them eat f/t casually like that, but not often. And usually eating sideways is not a sign of an overly-intelligent ball python. But if he's switched homes and he's still eating, yeah, let him do it however he wants. They're weirdly picky, especially when they switch environments, so just keep doing what works for the next few months.

Are you warming up the zombie mice with a heat lamp or a hairdryer at all? Generally if you warm up the noses of the mice for a few minutes, that'll help activate the strike instinct. And even if he still doesn't strike, maybe that'll help him find the nose of the mouse first, so he has an easier time getting it down.

As long as your snake is eating I wouldn't worry, but your snake is 6 years old and being fed mice??? Get that girl on rats!

... just don't try to make THAT switch until you've had the snake for at least 3 months. Preferably longer.

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Originally Posted by loonunit

... just don't try to make THAT switch until you've had the snake for at least 3 months. Preferably longer.

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Why not? It wouldn't hurt to offer. Worst comes to worst he refuses one. I would start off simple and scent the rat with a mouse. In most cases this is all that it takes.

Thanks for the advice. I did switch to f/t ASF, and I'm getting a consistent and almost immediate strike/constrict response with just minimal "zombie dancing" required. I initially tried soaking his first ASF in chicken broth like I did with the mice, but for the rest I haven't done that, and he doesn't seem to care either way. I'm guessing he really likes his new dinner, and he was telling me that if I wasn't going to give him real food, he wasn't going to do the whole song and dance. :-)

My Black Pewter male is convinced that if I watch him eat a F/T rat it is not cool. But if he cant see me or thinks I am not watching he will bite the rat and throw it around or play with it for a moment then eat it. I have no idea what he is doing but he is eating F/T and I am happy. To tell you the truth I think he is one of my easiet feeders I just have to heat the prey and drop it in front of his hide and walk away. It is always gone by the time I have fed the rest. So I just dont watch him anymore:)

Sometimes (which doesn't sound like this is the case) they figure out that they are wasting energy contricting dead prey. Mine get live or p/k and they all strike and constrict. If she is eating, I wouldn't worry about the "how" to much. And I would give rats a try too.

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My guy (who I have had for about 3 months) has never refused a meal but I think he's getting smarter. He struck F/T a few times but now I just have to warm up the rodent and leave it in his cage. He WON'T strike it. Instead he waits a while and basically picks it up in his mouth slowly and eats it. As I said he hasn't refused a meal and is still growing quickly, so I guess in my case: it's normal. :)