When a feeding goes bad?

I feed my snake f/t, well today he struck and coiled and kind of ... disemboweled the mouse. The guts are kind of everywhere and he keeps going around it - I think he's not sure where he is supposed to eat it from? What should I do? Should I just leave him and let him figure it out or should I try to take the mouse away from him?

Personally... I would not interfere in a feeding.

I would just let him figure out what to do, and when he is done and back in his hide, then attempt to clean up the mess.

You do not want to risk having your hands in the tank, smelling like mouse...

Bruce

He was trying to eat it from the middle... now kind of tail first. He has it and is moving ALOT - keeps bumping the top of his container like he is trying to get out with it.

Not too keep adding - but now he has completely lost interest in the mouse and is just moving around. Should I try to offer him another mouse or... he has never had a problem eating. I feed him in a separate tank - that is what the breeder did. In 3 months he has one mouse a week and has never had a problem or missed a feed. I don't know what to do.

What color are the guts? Rodents explode if you over heat them( f/t that is) Sounds like this might have happened

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Originally Posted by SecurityStacey

I feed my snake f/t, well today he struck and coiled and kind of ... disemboweled the mouse. The guts are kind of everywhere and he keeps going around it - I think he's not sure where he is supposed to eat it from? What should I do? Should I just leave him and let him figure it out or should I try to take the mouse away from him?

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This has happened to me several time thats why I dont feed F/T anymore. I would rather buy live and prekill. I would remove it and clean the tank/tub.

How do I get him out of the tank? He is still in hunt mode - I don't know how to get him out without getting bitten. Not to mention that he has guts on him - so I don't want to just put him back in his tank.

Okay... sorry. I got him out of the tank and in his tank. I figure when he calms down I'll clean him up and disinfect the tank - I just wanted him to get him somewhere where he wouldn't be getting stressed out.

I'm cleaning up his feeding tank now. Should I try to feed him again later today or tomorrow with a different mouse since he was hungry but gave up when he couldn't figure it out or should I wait until next week to feed him?

Thats up to you. I dont think it will hurt to try again. How do you thaw them out. I usually let them thaw overnight and quickly rinse with warm water then a quick dab with a towel.

I put them in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water for 10 minutes, and then dry them off and offer them with tongs. I got him from a reptile store and that is how they said to feed him - and that it was how he had been fed since just after he was hatched.

He hasn't had a problem until now.

Furio has disemboweled a few f/t that I had heated up a little much. I just gave him a different one and it wasn't any trouble feeding him on try #2. He doesn't even really get fussy unless he has a big meal. Then he just doesn't want me to pick him up and put him back. Never had a problem with striking so far.

I usually thaw the rats in room temperature water or just out in the air. Occasionally if the snake bites into the stomach cavity then it can leak. As for what to do, I usually grab them and clean them off and re-feed but if you want to be cautious I would cover the snake's head with a cloth or snake bag.

Well...

1- that sounds like overheating or a rodent going bad with a thin abdominal wall. Would also explain his refusing to take it.

2- you really don't have to feed in another tank. The whole 'associating hands or cage opening with food' thing is a myth. If you keep a regular schedule and pre-scent the room on feeding day, the snakes will get the pattern and never be confused. Easier on you, and on the snake. But ultimately your choice.

I would just give him a few to settle then offer another item in his cage. :)

I think that I just overheated the mouse.

I waited until he settled down a bit and then gave him a second mouse. He struck and ate it just like normal. Phew, bad day for me and stan.