VERY ALARMED by post-feeding behavior

I would be freaking out too! Glad other people say it's normal.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

Well, pardon me while I take a few deep breaths and feel slightly silly for panicking.

Hopefully this teaches her not to go all Randy Savage on her dinner!

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Take a few breaths, it's okay!

We all have moments of panic at some point. No judgement!

Keep an eye on her and make sure she is not repeating the behavior the next few days. However, let her digest and do not handle her unless it's a total emergency, for at least 24 hours! You don't want her to regurgitate.

I think everything will be fine, or worst case, easy to deal with, if it is stuck substrate, etc.

What substrate are you using?

As an aside, and if I misunderstood, please forgive me, but generally good to defrost the rat in room temp/slightly warmed water for a couple hours. Then drop in hot water right before feeding for 30 seconds or so (not boiling water, just tap hot). Then dry and feed. You want the rat to be raw, but defrosted, hot water over time can cook the rat, which can lead to refusal, and is also not great for the snake.

A dry rodent is less likely to pick up substrate as well.

Finally, she will likely not learn her lesson. However, I would be happy she is such a good and aggressive eater!

Good luck and we are here to help!

Now that that's over, you should take the video and make one of those lip sync videos with it.

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

Now that that's over, you should take the video and make one of those lip sync videos with it.

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This will be my last post of the night because my sleeping meds are kicking in and I can't be held responsible from this point on... goodnight everyone

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Originally Posted by dakski

Take a few breaths, it's okay!

We all have moments of panic at some point. No judgement!

Keep an eye on her and make sure she is not repeating the behavior the next few days. However, let her digest and do not handle her unless it's a total emergency, for at least 24 hours! You don't want her to regurgitate.

I think everything will be fine, or worst case, easy to deal with, if it is stuck substrate, etc.

What substrate are you using?

As an aside, and if I misunderstood, please forgive me, but generally good to defrost the rat in room temp/slightly warmed water for a couple hours. Then drop in hot water right before feeding for 30 seconds or so (not boiling water, just tap hot). Then dry and feed. You want the rat to be raw, but defrosted, hot water over time can cook the rat, which can lead to refusal, and is also not great for the snake.

A dry rodent is less likely to pick up substrate as well.

Finally, she will likely not learn her lesson. However, I would be happy she is such a good and aggressive eater!

Good luck and we are here to help!

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I put it in hot water because it cools down pretty fast in our sink, so hopefully no cooking! But next time I might try warm. I do put it in hot water again just before feeding. The rat was a little damp for some reason, probably a small hole in the bag. I had one rat that got completely soaked because of holes in the packaging.

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

This will be my last post of the night because my sleeping meds are kicking in and I can't be held responsible from this point on... goodnight everyone

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Brilliant idea on the video. G'night.

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Oh, and I use coconut fiber substrate.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

I put it in hot water because it cools down pretty fast in our sink, so hopefully no cooking! But next time I might try warm. I do put it in hot water again just before feeding. The rat was a little damp for some reason, probably a small hole in the bag. I had one rat that got completely soaked because of holes in the packaging.

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Okay, that sounds good. The hot water for 30 seconds or so really warms up the rat to get BP's heat pits excited! Even if it is defrosted and at room temp, no problem. Some people use a hairdryer, but I do not think it does as uniform job.

You can dry a wet rat with just paper towels.

Does not hurt anything for the rat to get wet when defrosting.

The snakes seem to prefer a drier rat, but many do not care. The bigger issue, as addressed, is a wet rat can get substrate stuck to it.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

Oh, and I use coconut fiber substrate.

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That works. Some can be dusty, so be careful with that. Otherwise, no problem.

I'll let others chime in because I use paper substrate for cleanliness and ease and have enclosed Boaphile tanks (so humidity stays in fine).

However, if a BP can digest a whole rat, I don't think a little coconut substrate will hurt them.

It could annoy them if stuck in their mouth, but it sounds like it was just a jaw issue.

You are a new keeper, right? Sounds like you are doing a really good job and care about your BP! Great work!

We got her December 10th and love her to bits!

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