Oh dear. Coiling and not eating on repeat.

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Originally Posted by BoiseBallz

Although snakes can randomly do this, two snakes doing it several times suggests an underlying problem. I have the same question as Mustang5 - are you feeding F/T? I suspect that you probably are, and I suspect that the prey isn't completely thawed/warmed. That is typically the cause. The outside of the rodent can seem warm, but then center may still be cold, and this can cause the snake to reject the prey. The easiest way to check this is, after you have warmed the prey the way that you normally do, drop it into a ziplock bag, then pinch the rodent between your fingers and hold them there for a while, at least 15-20 seconds, and if the rodent isn't ready, it will begin to feel cool/cold. Do this test both in the center of the torso and on the head. If you feel cool/cold, continue to warm the prey and repeat until the prey feels warm between your fingers for a good 15-20 seconds.

If you are feeding live prey, I don't know what to tell you other than maybe the prey are being raised on a snake-unfriendly substrate.

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You are right, I am feeding F/T for both. Yeah, I now believe that the prey is too cold/just isn't completely thawed. I'll try this to see, and hopefully that is the actual reason.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I've had males do that randomly even with live feeders. Try dropping back a feeder size for a few weeks or extending the duration between feedings from a week to 10-14 days.

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Sure, I'll try that. I happen to have 4 slightly smaller rats to try on Blackout too.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Also, double check all your husbandry numbers. Ambients , hot spot, humidity. Tips, Place a handful of 100% cypress mulch under the hides only and do not handle them whatsoever for at least 1 week. When you are ready to feed them, do it very late at night or early morning (1am) in complete darkness. Only use a small , dim light for yourself to see. Good luck. And again, no handling for the next 7 to 10 days. :)

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Ambient is around 80. Heated area is at ~88~91, humidity is at around 60~80%, depending on the day. It's been raining recently. And yep, no handling- hopefully they can start feeding normally again!

Ah... update. Thoroughly thawed the prey this time using the ziplock bag in warm water method, and pressed the prey's head and torso for 20 seconds to make sure it was thoroughly warm. I made sure the prey was very warm again right before offering, and Blackout struck the prey again and coiled. 15 minutes later, I went back to check, and she was sniffing it all over- still looked very interested. I thought it was hopeful. Then I go back to check in another 15 minutes, and she had ditched the prey.

What to do.

Oh my GOD, she freaking finally ate. I just happened to ask for mice bedding when I went to the reptile store today, for some reason? Just in case I needed it (I don't even know), and so I just tried scenting the rat with the mice bedding. And she struck and coiled again and ate it immediately.

Why in the world. I guess mouse REALLY is a lot more attractive to snakes.

Good deal!

Dave