The Rat Knows??

Has this ever happened to anyone before (I'm sure it has). The poor rat is scared stiff. Ally can't see it cause it won't move. It's kinda funny, but I'm also starting to feel bad for the rat. Usually i drop it in and seconds later, boom, strike, squeeze and eat. Do larger rats typically display this type of behavior? It's been nearly 20 minutes and they are still stuck in a stare down, haha.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FcVq0gcY.jpg

Yeah, sometimes they notice the snake sometimes they dont. When they do notice the snake they usually stay completely still.

I've been dealing with this a lot lately. Eventually the snake just gives up and I have to go rat fishing.

I'm sure the snake sees it perfectly well. Just cuz the heat signature and smell is still there. It's just a game of patience. Once the rat makes a move, it'll be game over.


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20 minutes time to take the rat out till the next feeding.

It's one good reason to switch to F/T or F/K. I like F/K because they still smell like they're alive and it fools even my snakes that usually only eat live. No more messing around with the rat that the snake can't find in the tub. Just dangle it from the tongs and get a strike or move on.

I've had rats crawl all over my snakes back when I fed live, which was a good part of my reason to switch to F/T. They didn't seem afraid at all.

That rat looks kind of big for that snake, especially since it is live.

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Originally Posted by Kibbleswhites

That rat looks kind of big for that snake, especially since it is live.

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I do agree with this as well.


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Yeah, we are returning the rat. I went to day two and had both of them in the feeding tank, the snake was just not interested. She would slither up next to the rat and then shy away when the rat would sniff the snake's nose. I figured the rat may be too big. Also, her CHE has burnt out. She may be a little too cold and not warm enough to eat. We'll be rectifying this issue tomorrow! Thanks for all the advice!

Yeah that rat seems huge for that snake. They should be as round/fat as the thickest part of your snake, give or take.

Also, have you tried the bag trick? (Put rat in a plastic bag and spin it around for like 30-60 seconds to make it dizzy then drop it in.) I have done this when feeding my 2 new snakes with no issue, and read at least somewhat that it helps more than hurts lol.

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Originally Posted by baazi1

Yeah, we are returning the rat. I went to day two and had both of them in the feeding tank, the snake was just not interested. She would slither up next to the rat and then shy away when the rat would sniff the snake's nose. I figured the rat may be too big. Also, her CHE has burnt out. She may be a little too cold and not warm enough to eat. We'll be rectifying this issue tomorrow! Thanks for all the advice!

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Ok a couple things, "went to day two with both in the feeding tank"? There's no reason to feed outside of the regular enclosure and when feeding live, supervise the entire time the rat is in there and remove after 5 minutes or so if your snake isn't acting interested. It may be the stress of moving and being in an open cage that is making your snake refuse food. Also if there is no heat, your snake cannot digest properly and could get sick, fix the heat asap and don't offer food until it is.