Protective feeding

Frst off I just gotta say that this snake was a craigslist special and he has been eating live rats for the last four years. So today I decided too try f/t and he took it with absolutely no hesitation! My question is are these guys known to be protective of thier food after they kill it? After he got done squeezing he immediately tuned around and tried to charge me. He then lost completeninterest in the rat. I had to wait till he was not following me anymore to reach back in the the tongs and play zombie rat again. He instantly struck at the rat again and then when he was done he charged at me. So again I had to wait till he wasn't interested in me and then did the zombie rat dance again. This time I stood far away and when he was done squeezing I can see him looking for me again, and when he couldn't find me he started to eat the rat.

Now I know some snakes like to eat in privacy but is it normal for them to protect thier food aggressively? Other than feeding this guy is a total lap slut, he cuddles more than my wife's cats do.

maybe the people u got him from just used to mess with him and try to get him aggresive u never know messing with C.L

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ronin

Frst off I just gotta say that this snake was a craigslist special and he has been eating live rats for the last four years. So today I decided too try f/t and he took it with absolutely no hesitation! My question is are these guys known to be protective of thier food after they kill it? After he got done squeezing he immediately tuned around and tried to charge me. He then lost completeninterest in the rat. I had to wait till he was not following me anymore to reach back in the the tongs and play zombie rat again. He instantly struck at the rat again and then when he was done he charged at me. So again I had to wait till he wasn't interested in me and then did the zombie rat dance again. This time I stood far away and when he was done squeezing I can see him looking for me again, and when he couldn't find me he started to eat the rat.

Now I know some snakes like to eat in privacy but is it normal for them to protect thier food aggressively? Other than feeding this guy is a total lap slut, he cuddles more than my wife's cats do.

---

I've never seen that with a ball python, but my carpet python does that every time I feed him. My carpet never actually lets go of the rat, but he certainly gets all defensive if anyone is close to his cage.

Perhaps he was just really hungry and didn't want to share? :)

Sometimes mine let go of the rat and when they do they come charging toward me. I actually think it's just that the snake is still in HEAVY feeding mode and they'll strike ANYTHING during that time. I usually just close the rack (if I can, ha ha) and they go back to their rat.

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess it could be possible that the previous owners might have teased it but his brother (two for one deal lol) acts completely opposite. Maybe this guy just has a powerful feed drive. Next time I will just step back right away and see what happens.

Since you don't have to monitor a f/t feeder there's no problem with dropping it into the tank (or tub) and walking away. A couple of mine aren't aggressive like that, but they are shy and while they will eat f/t, they won't take a feeder unless they have some privacy.