Ball Pythons are not very smart LOL

To their credit, they are cute, mostly nice cuddly pets and the are great at finding that one place you don't want them to get into (like my partner's expensive speaker). However I just spent the last 20 minutes watching my banana BP trying to eat a frozen thawed rat sideways. Granted, he's only a year old, but he's been eating this size of rat for awhile. He struck it and "killed" it and then proceeded to try to eat it sideways, working his mouth back and forth across the abdomen. When that didn't work, he contorted himself many ways to try to make it fit. When I tried to help him by taking it back with the tongs he played tug-o-war with me. Finally he let it go, and I removed it, gave him a 5 minute break, and gave it to him again. He took it nose first and ate it in like 30 seconds. :8:

My ratsnake actually takes time to drop the "kill" and then poke around until she finds the nose of her mouse before attempting to eat it.

They eventually always figure it out however it seems. Sometimes their instinct to eat just takes over what we would call common sense....heck, retics will destroy their faces by pushing against the enclosure if not fed enough or sometimes for no reason at all. I'm not sure if I would be messing with the rat though after you've offered it.

It happens with the young ones. They are still learning. The adults usually have it figured out after a couple hundred meals in their belt.

I keep an eye on my snakes once they've taken prey, & sometimes I "help" a little using my tongs to adjust. My 19 year-old corn snake has a good appetite
but often has trouble eating: he'll grab it, then go for the wrong places like yours did, only then he drops it & wanders around...if I don't intervene, he'll end
up not eating, but typically after a couple tries (w/ my help) he gets the right end. He never had this trouble when he was younger...grandpa needs reading
glasses now. ;) His vision isn't what it used to be & it makes a difference. I've seen this in other old rat snakes too.

It's common to see young snakes of all kinds trying to eat sideways or butt-first. Their excitement appears to take precedence over using visual clues.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I keep an eye on my snakes once they've taken prey, & sometimes I "help" a little using my tongs to adjust. My 19 year-old corn snake has a good appetite
but often has trouble eating: he'll grab it, then go for the wrong places like yours did, only then he drops it & wanders around...if I don't intervene, he'll end
up not eating, but typically after a couple tries (w/ my help) he gets the right end. He never had this trouble when he was younger...grandpa needs reading
glasses now. ;) His vision isn't what it used to be & it makes a difference. I've seen this in other old rat snakes too.

It's common to see young snakes of all kinds trying to eat sideways or butt-first. Their excitement appears to take precedence over using visual clues.

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Actually I think contact lenses would work better than glasses for "grandpa!" :eyepoppin Our pinstripe BP has horrible eyesight, one of the first things we observed when we got her. One eye cap is always a bit wrinkled. At first we thought it was a retained eyecap, but it's not. She probably just hurt it at some point.

Hey, do elderly snakes change color or get gray? We had a very old Beta fish that literally turned mostly gray before it finally died of old age.

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

Actually I think contact lenses would work better than glasses for "grandpa!" :eyepoppin Our pinstripe BP has horrible eyesight, one of the first things we observed when we got her. One eye cap is always a bit wrinkled. At first we thought it was a retained eyecap, but it's not. She probably just hurt it at some point.

Hey, do elderly snakes change color or get gray? We had a very old Beta fish that literally turned mostly gray before it finally died of old age.

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No they don't turn gray or fade, good question though. I didn't know that about Beta fish...how long can they live? Poor things, most have such a miserable existence
because of clueless owners...:(

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

No they don't turn gray or fade, good question though. I didn't know that about Beta fish...how long can they live? Poor things, most have such a miserable existence
because of clueless owners...:(

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The one we had lived about 4.5 years, all the way through my high school years and it died after I left for college. My mom took very good care of it and really enjoyed it, and even had it trained to beg for food. I do feel very sorry for the ones in the store, most of them probably don't live very long. :-(

Yes I have watched my contort around to get to the head. Their problem is they won't let go. If they would let go and then grab the right end it would be so much easier. Lol!
But nature has them programmed to not let that already dead meal get away. :snake:

Ever since I switched to rats with my BP, he does the same thing. So now after its thawed, I'll take the rat and pull his chin up in an effort to straighten him. Lol. The chin down causes my boy a lot of extra work.

When my royal was a baby he started eating a rat from the rear, it took him a long time but he muscle thru. He hasn't done it again in 50+ feeding he has had after that. Like others said, they learn. :D

Don't Royals strike at a 'shape' or 'heat signal' ??


Whers


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Don't Royals strike at a 'shape' or 'heat signal' ??


Whereas species like King snakes or Retics strike at an object ( mouse or rat or whatever) ?


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Don't Royals strike at a ' blurry shape' or 'heat signal' ??


Whereas species like King snakes etc ... strike at an object ( mouse or rat or whatever) ?


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Don't Royals strike at a ' blurry shape' or 'heat signal' ??


Whereas species like King snakes etc ... strike at an object ( mouse or rat or whatever) ?


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Yes pythons (and vipers) have thermal senses in their face. Most all snake eyes are evolved too see moving objects. A very still animal is more difficult to see, the slightest movement though and they are targeting!!!

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Yes pythons (and vipers) have thermal senses in their face. Most all snake eyes are evolved too see moving objects. A very still animal is more difficult to see, the slightest movement though and they are targeting!!!

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I figured they just say there listening to the prey......


jk guys

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

I figured they just say there listening to the prey......


jk guys

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Joking apart ... sometimes I think my two Albino Royals ARE just listening !!

I've told in the past that they seem to have impaired vision when they strike ....


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i Can’t say anything I’ve bitten my tongue trying to eat, and I’m sure my snake is over there calling me an idiot

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

i Can’t say anything I’ve bitten my tongue trying to eat, and I’m sure my snake is over there calling me an idiot

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Ha ha ... I occasionally bite on a fork and I hate it :)


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Joking apart ... sometimes I think my two Albino Royals ARE just listening !!

I've told in the past that they seem to have impaired vision when they strike ....


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this..... I can literally dangle a rats head in front of my albino BP’s face and he will grab it by the tail with a wild strike out of left field. It’s frustrating but at least he never refuses a meal.

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

i Can’t say anything I’ve bitten my tongue trying to eat, and I’m sure my snake is over there calling me an idiot

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LMAO :rofl:

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Originally Posted by SVT Wylde

this..... I can literally dangle a rats head in front of my albino BP’s face and he will grab it by the tail with a wild strike out of left field. It’s frustrating but at least he never refuses a meal.

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You should see a Spider Royal trying to hit his target :rolleye2:

Back to the original question about the overall intelligence of ball pythons though....just remember that they've managed to manipulate all of you into heating
their f/t dinners with blow-dryers...so they might be smarter than you think. :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Back to the original question about the overall intelligence of ball pythons though....just remember that they've managed to manipulate all of you into heating
their f/t dinners with blow-dryers...so they might be smarter than you think. :rofl:

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Ooh, is that a stab at Zinc? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Ooh, is that a stab at Zinc? :rolleyes:

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Not hardly...I just got to thinking who's training who? haha...ball pythons are the "kids that won't eat their broccoli" only they end up winning the battle. Admiration
for their steadfast powers of persuasion. ;)

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Ooh, is that a stab at Zinc? :rolleyes:

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I'm just trying to spread the word :)

My son's mate recently spent a fortune on a hatchling morph Royal
.. too fancy a name for me to remember but he said he was worried as it hadn't eaten for him ...
I asked if he'd tried the hairdryer trick and he'd never heard of it ..
Next day he's texted me and the little guy had eaten first attempt with heated mouse ...

That was extra -satisfying as I've known him for years and I knew he'd been so worried :)


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I'm just trying to spread the word :)

My son's mate recently spent a fortune on a hatchling morph Royal
.. too fancy a name for me to remember but he said he was worried as it hadn't eaten for him ...
I asked if he'd tried the hairdryer trick and he'd never heard of it ..
Next day he's texted me and the little guy had eaten first attempt with heated mouse ...

That was extra -satisfying as I've known him for years and I knew he'd been so worried :)


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See? I knew it! It's a ball python conspiracy! :snake: And another human trained...:yes: (they probably own stock in hairdryers...)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

See? I knew it! It's a ball python conspiracy! :snake: And another human trained...:yes: (they probably own stock in hairdryers...)

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I heard they own CHI

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

I heard they own CHI

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The hair care company or the life-force thing?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

See? I knew it! It's a ball python conspiracy! :snake: And another human trained...:yes: (they probably own stock in hairdryers...)

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Too funny.. :rofl:I'm riding in the car and just busted out laughing. My wife looked at me like I was crazy. Wait.... :taz: Nevermind....carry on!

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Originally Posted by Shayne

Too funny.. :rofl:I'm riding in the car and just busted out laughing. My wife looked at me like I was crazy. Wait.... :taz: Nevermind....carry on!

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Well I have been enjoying this thread, too! It put a nice smile on my face during a hectic day at work yesterday!

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

Well I have been enjoying this thread, too! It put a nice smile on my face during a hectic day at work yesterday!

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Which is why we share our lives with snakes in the first place. ;)

By the way, I just want to check on my BP, who I had offered a rat to a few minutes ago, and he's trying to eat it sideways again!!:rofl:

In contrast, I offered my young ratsnake two mice, and she managed to eat both of them in the time it's taken my BP to continue to wrestle with a small hopper rat that he should easily handle (I am giving him two-- using them up because snake is outgrowing them, but he has not even managed to eat the first one yet!). Maybe because they are so small he is confused??

This is after several minutes of contorting himself and the rat. He started out with his mouth completely on its side, and he's now working his way closer to the nose of the rat. at least he's not a picky eater, he has always taken what is offered right away.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...214_094347.jpg

If anyone is still reading this, he totally mangled it. It split open and the innards were everywhere. :puke2:

I put him back in his enclosure and put the second rat at the entrance of his hide.

And I dumped the mangled one into the enclosure of our bigger BP and she ate it right up like a snickers bar.

I am, by the way, a vegetarian. I don't even like to cook chicken or beef for my partner.

He's pretty & he's eating...what more do you want? :D Anyway, it's more interesting this way, that they aren't all the same, eh?

Rodents shouldn't typically split open unless they're a bit "ripe", as from being thawed too long or re-frozen; I guess the snakes
aren't in quarantine from each other? Re-offering transfers germs from one snake to another, just remember that...a mouth in-
fection that you haven't noticed yet, or a beginning RI. Not saying I never re-offer among my long time healthy residents...I do on
occasion, but I rinse off the rodent first & normally it's when the snake hasn't bitten into it, only sniffed & said "not today".

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

He's pretty & he's eating...what more do you want? :D Anyway, it's more interesting this way, that they aren't all the same, eh?

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LOL! And you know I must love my snakes a lot!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

He's pretty & he's eating...what more do you want? :D Anyway, it's more interesting this way, that they aren't all the same, eh?

Rodents shouldn't typically split open unless they're a bit "ripe", as from being thawed too long or re-frozen; I guess the snakes
aren't in quarantine from each other? Re-offering transfers germs from one snake to another, just remember that...a mouth in-
fection that you haven't noticed yet, or a beginning RI. Not saying I never re-offer among my long time healthy residents...I do on
occasion, but I rinse off the rodent first & normally it's when the snake hasn't bitten into it, only sniffed & said "not today".

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All good things to know, thank you. I got these smaller rats with the snake (along with all its other supplies). Maybe they are a bit ripe, but also Spot was rubbing it all over the place and squeezing and unsqueezing it. Either way, I'm going to call it a day and go to therapy to recover from the grossness of it (just kidding!)

So did Spot invite the rat at the 'door' in? Or just give up, after grossing you out? Sounds like he wants to eat, since he thrashed it so much, lol.
You're a very brave vegetarian! :gj: hahahaha!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So did Spot invite the rat at the 'door' in? Or just give up, after grossing you out? Sounds like he wants to eat, since he thrashed it so much, lol.
You're a very brave vegetarian! :gj: hahahaha!

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He gave up and didn't eat it. In fact he went to his other hide. I know snakes don't show facial expressions very well, but I felt that he was very discouraged or embarrassed or something. I removed it and discarded it (shame to waste but oh well) and will try again in a couple of days. I still need to wash the dried rat innards off his face, but I am going to wait and see if he rubs it off by himself first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

He gave up and didn't eat it. In fact he went to his other hide. I know snakes don't show facial expressions very well, but I felt that he was very discouraged or embarrassed or something. I removed it and discarded it (shame to waste but oh well) and will try again in a couple of days. I still need to wash the dried rat innards off his face, but I am going to wait and see if he rubs it off by himself first.

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Oh no, sorry. Silly snake...he obviously was interested...did you try wiggling it a little with tongs? I would have. (& maybe a touch of blow-dryer heat?) You could also
"wash his face" with water sprayed, but he might rub it off on his own?

I know what you mean about "discouraged or embarrassed" but I think it has to do with them feeling confident, and also un-observed* (for their safety from predators).
Ball pythons have so much going for them, but I wish they weren't so weird to feed. (*hindsight-feeding at night is usually best also)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Oh no, sorry. Silly snake...he obviously was interested...did you try wiggling it a little with tongs? I would have. (& maybe a touch of blow-dryer heat?) You could also
"wash his face" with water sprayed, but he might rub it off?

I know what you mean about "discouraged or embarrassed" but I think it has to do with them feeling confident, and also un-observed* (for their safety from predators).
Ball pythons have so much going for them, but I wish they weren't so weird to feed. (*hindsight-feeding at night is usually best also)

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I agree, and I think he just needs to pout for awhile and forget all about it. I did reheat it and dangle it and he looked at it but then didn't want it. That's when I left it at his door. I agree about night time being a better time to feed him.

He is a sweet snake and I am still getting to know him, but he's just very calm and most of the time is content sitting on my lap while I watch TV. Noodle would rather explore, and she's diurnal so she's my day companion, and Spot is my evening buddy. It's nice to have them both. I named him Spot after Data's cat from Star Trek.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

This is after several minutes of contorting himself and the rat. He started out with his mouth completely on its side, and he's now working his way closer to the nose of the rat. at least he's not a picky eater, he has always taken what is offered right away.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...214_094347.jpg

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It's good that he eats so well .. and a drop feeder by the look of things ..

Are you gonna continue feeding in a separate tub ??


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

It's good that he eats so well .. and a drop feeder by the look of things ..

Are you gonna continue feeding in a separate tub ??


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Yeah he seems to be a good feeder once he gets it in his mouth correctly. ;) He strikes immediately when I dangle it. I would rather not tub-feed to be honest. I think he would feel more secure in his own home. I have not had him long and the previous owner fed him that way. I'm transitioning him. Last time he took one rat in the tub with me dangling, and the other in his home a few minutes later with me just leaving it there.

Our other BP is a big 1600 gram female and she is also a drop feeder (had not heard that term before). She will basically eat anything, any time. We had to transition her from live rats, so I'm super proud of her feeding progress. She was also very nasty when we got her, and now will only bite sometimes. ;) We just set her food in her home when she's not looking at night, to discourage striking and aggression.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I'm just trying to spread the word :)

My son's mate recently spent a fortune on a hatchling morph Royal
.. too fancy a name for me to remember but he said he was worried as it hadn't eaten for him ...
I asked if he'd tried the hairdryer trick and he'd never heard of it ..
Next day he's texted me and the little guy had eaten first attempt with heated mouse ...

That was extra -satisfying as I've known him for years and I knew he'd been so worried :)




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I've used your method and I use it still for my Royal. The boa and carpet could care less.

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

I've used your method and I use it still for my Royal. The boa and carpet could care less.

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Oh yeah .... it works best with Royals for sure ..


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

Yeah he seems to be a good feeder once he gets it in his mouth correctly. ;) He strikes immediately when I dangle it. I would rather not tub-feed to be honest. I think he would feel more secure in his own home. I have not had him long and the previous owner fed him that way. I'm transitioning him. Last time he took one rat in the tub with me dangling, and the other in his home a few minutes later with me just leaving it there.

Our other BP is a big 1600 gram female and she is also a drop feeder (had not heard that term before). She will basically eat anything, any time. We had to transition her from live rats, so I'm super proud of her feeding progress. She was also very nasty when we got her, and now will only bite sometimes. ;) We just set her food in her home when she's not looking at night, to discourage striking and aggression.

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It looks like you were feeding in a tub ... that's why I asked :)

It's something that was popular in the old days and I certainly don't suggest it at all :)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

It looks like you were feeding in a tub ... that's why I asked :)

It's something that was popular in the old days and I certainly don't suggest it at all :)


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Yep, perfectly reasonable question given that the photo showed him in a tub. :cool:

In case anyone is still following Spot's feeding "saga" I wanted to update I'm relieved that he finally ate today! I was thinking maybe the baby rats were just way too small and they were confusing him. As I said, he came with those when I got him, and I was trying to use them up.

So this morning I covered his cage, made the room dark, and gave him a bigger rat. He grabbed it by the front arm for the strangulation and I was thinking it's not off to a great start. But I just left him alone and gave him 30 minutes. When I peeked in again he was just swallowing the tail. :-)

I do wonder still how they make it in the wild if they are this finicky and kinda not-very-smart with feeding.

I do love these little boogers ( obviously ) but I have been known to use the phrase "sharp as a marble" to describe them. :oops:

I always superheat the nose of the F/T meal to give them a more obvious clue but sometimes they just keep chewing on the first bit they struck. :rolleyes: