Losing interest after constriction?

I've read a few thread about balls striking, constricting, and then just leaving the mouse alone....and this is what mine has been doing for the last week. He's also been VERY cage-aggressive, meaning if I walk by and he's out....he strikes at the glass. Before, when it was feeding time I would just pick him up and put him in his little feeding tank, wave a mouse in front of him and he would snag it as soon as it was w/in reach (about 6 times....only had him since new years). The whole process took like fifteen minutes....I was actually surprised at how simple it was considering a lot of people say they have feeding problems. I haven't changed anything temp wise, hot side is 90, cool side is just above 80....humiditiy in the mid 50s.

Now, he's very defensive when I go to pick him up and when I put a mouse in front of him, he grabs it....holds it for a few minutes....and then just leaves it alone. If I warm it up again and re-present...he strikes....coils...and leaves it again. ??? I know they go off feed occasionally and was just wondering if this is how they usually do it, or if they just don't strike in the first place.

I'm not too concerned, he last ate on the 3rd but it was a little mouse. It started after I offered him a 2nd.... More curious as to whats going on.

He sounds hungry. Have you tried feeding in his enclosure, so you don't have to pick him up first? Have you changed the way you warm up the food? Have you gone up a size (and maybe it's not warming up as much as you think)?

just feed in the sname tank

Feed him in his enclosure. Just drop the mouse in and watch. I guarantee he'll eat.

That's what I thought....he was just hungry. I haven't fed him in his enclosure, maybe I'll do that tonight.

The first mouse he walked away from was a bit larger, but still smaller around than he was and it felt warm to me (through a paper towel) so I just went with it. I'm afraid of them popping (had that happen once, although he still ate it) so I don't want to over heat them.

I'll try heating them a little extra with a hair dryer tonight and feeding in his cage. Thanks....I'll let you know.

Thanks guys....as of right now he grabbed the mouse and "ran" for his cave. I don't want to bother him and freak him out, but it looks like he's eating it. Hopefully there's not a dead, 90 degree mouse in there in the morning.

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Originally Posted by rtman26

Thanks guys....as of right now he grabbed the mouse and "ran" for his cave. I don't want to bother him and freak him out, but it looks like he's eating it. Hopefully there's not a dead, 90 degree mouse in there in the morning.

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Yeah, that was probably the answer then. Ball Python prefer to ambush their prey. Mine drags it into her hide as well, they just feel more comfortable that way. Let us know when you notice the mouse is gone!

He's all curled up in his hide and I can't see the mouse anywhere.... Just gonna have to wait and smell to find out if its actually gone.