My retic can count to 3

No joke...Every single feeding for the last two months has gone the exact same way. He strikes and coils the f/t rat, but then doesn't eat it. We do this two more times, until he finally swallows the rat on the third go round. Three times, every single feeding.

I'm not complaining, I absolutely love this snake. He is a joy to handle, and hasn't shown one bit of aggression. His feeding strike is even a bit timid, sometimes gently taking the rat off the tongs. Just thought this was in interesting anecdote for anyone with retics, or thinking of getting one.

That does sound peculiar. :)

Maybe he likes them tenderized? Lol

Mine also takes a few tries. Its annoying because I really don't like going in there in feeding mode to get it back out.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

No joke...Every single feeding for the last two months has gone the exact same way. He strikes and coils the f/t rat, but then doesn't eat it. We do this two more times, until he finally swallows the rat on the third go round. Three times, every single feeding.

I'm not complaining, I absolutely love this snake. He is a joy to handle, and hasn't shown one bit of aggression. His feeding strike is even a bit timid, sometimes gently taking the rat off the tongs. Just thought this was in interesting anecdote for anyone with retics, or thinking of getting one.

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I have animals like that. Usually a bit of a struggle/wiggle with the f/t will get them to eat sooner. I reckon some snakes are just too good for carrion and need to feel like they killed their prey.

Well our streak ended. This feeding I upped his prey size, and he constructed and swallowed it on the first go round.

I'm still fascinated by how tender this snake is when taking his prey off the tongs. It is almost as if he knows it isn't going anywhere, and just casually opens his mouth, bites into the feeder and pulls it away.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Well our streak ended. This feeding I upped his prey size, and he constructed and swallowed it on the first go round.

I'm still fascinated by how tender this snake is when taking his prey off the tongs. It is almost as if he knows it isn't going anywhere, and just casually opens his mouth, bites into the feeder and pulls it away.

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Why no pictures?

I can try to take one next feeding.

Donuts (my BP) has done that "gentle" strike a few times, it's so weird! She's also done what I call the 'slow motion hotdog eating contest' where, if the feeder is set on the ground, she'll just go up to it unhurried as you please and get right to the swallowing without any of that striking and constricting fuss... Funny how they do all these weird things when feeding

That's funny. I've had a few boas eat without constricting. Never would have thought a retic would.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

That's funny. I've had a few boas eat without constricting. Never would have thought a retic would.

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My purple male almost never constricts, pretty much gently takes it and says thank you sir.

That's awesome! Mine essentially does the same.