Ball python feeding response question
My albino ball python has been like this ever since I got it and just been wondering if this happens to anyone else. My ball python eats or seems like to eat every other week. Last week he ate a rat pup just fine with the same thawing method. Yesterday, same thawing method, he bit and coiled the rat pup, but when I check today in the morning, rat pup is still in his cage. So, has anyone had experience with this sort of thing?
Re: Ball python feeding response question
Sometimes that is the result of the prey item not quite being thawed all the way through, or it was slightly too large, or something startled the snake before it could really start eating. I've seen it happen once or twice where the snake couldn't figure out where the head was, and rather than keep trying after a few minutes just gave up completely on eating.
If it doesn't feel secure, it may also coil but not eat. Do you have hides in the cage for it? Sometimes, adding a hide or changing the existing hides can help.
-Jen
Re: Ball python feeding response question
I personally dont have a ton of ball pythons I would guess around 20, and the feeding responses range from barely taking the rat off the tongs and never wrapping it just swallowing it, to a fesponse that rivals the SD retics.
I also see the problems like you are describing and honestly it happens most with one female spider she has a feeding response like crazy she hits the food and wraps it up quick, the problem is she just gets so over excited striking it and wrapping it from time to time she just seems to forget what she is doing (she is beautiful but not the brightest crayon in the box) Feeding usually takes me about an hour any way so I feed her first, come back and check on her and if she is doing her dingy man I am hungry but cant find me food routine I just offer her another warmed feeder, and when she strikes it I take the other one out and reheat it for someone else to eat....
I see it happen alot, they usually grow out of it, but it usually happens with animals with a good strong feeding response and they get so excited to strike and wrap, the just kinda forget what they are donig.,.... Hope this helps
Re: Ball python feeding response question
I have a hide. Keep hides for all my bps. It wasn't big for him, just the right size because he ate something a little bit bigger last week.