My ball just ate a rat alive..

That is pretty weird... I have never seen a ball python eat an animal while it is still alive and moving, most of the ones that I have had would absolutely refuse to eat until even I had stopped moving around the room. But some snakes just aren't that picky I suppose.

Yep, I've had it happen a few times. One of the times the female realized just how alive the rat still was (it was no where close to it's last few breaths) so she let go, recoiled, waited for it to die that time, and ate it. I do worry that the rat will injure their mouths/throats, but so far nothing has happened. I also have a couple that will throw coils around the live rats, but not strike. It is weird!

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Have you tried live? It may be only defensive striking because it doesn't realize it as food. My girl did that with f/t. When she struck the live it was sooo different and for keeps!

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This is with live, hence why I feel terrible for the rat.

Dang SG, that sucks man but like Moot said, not much you could of done.

as bad as i felt for the rat, im still happy i have such a good eater. lol