Snake bit himself...

I've inherited a 13-year-old Ball Python, Jake, and have just fed him for the 2nd time. When I put him in a bin with the rat, he got so excited. But, he missed the rat but, Jake bit himself in the side. For several minutes, he kept biting his own side. Is this normal? I can't see any wounds on him, I didn't see anything ooze from his side. What should I do? Help me please...I'm new at this!

Hi, April. I've never heard of a BP biting itself. Was the rat live, and if so, has Jake always eaten live prey? Also, how often do you feed him?

He probly wasn't biting himself for several minutes. He probly realized he bit himself and was trying to let go, I've seen their teeth get stuck on prey and they have to kinda naw to get loose.

As long as there was no visible blood, he's probly fine.

Boids have teeth that angle toward the back of their mouths that way they can "walk" their prey into their stomachs. I have never seen it either but i would have died laughing. He should be fine just use a flashlight and check for any teeth that may be embeded.

We do feed Jake live prey because that's what his former owner fed him. So, it was a medium rat.

I will check him over with a flashlight tonight. I didn't know that his teeth could come out...it never occurred to me. Thanks a lot! I feel a little better now. When I feed him from now on, I'll have a camera handy just in case this is "his thing" so I can share it with you. :-)

We feed him one medium to large rat every 3 weeks. At least, this is what his former owner did, and I'm carrying on what he's accustomed to. Any suggestions for changing this?

Yes, try feeding pre killed or thawed. It takes a lot of time and effort, but it protects your snake from being badly hurt by the prey. Read the ball python caresheet, I personally wrote it and it is very helpful. You might enjoy the feeding section.

Okay, I was only wondering because you said he got "so excited" when you put him in the bin with the rat, as if that was something out of the ordinary. You might want to consider killing or stunning the rat just before you feed it to Jake, that way he doesn't have to contend with a moving target.

Also, you might try upping your feeding frequency so that he doesn't get quite as hungry between feedings. I'd try him on a 10-14 day feeding schedule and see how he does.