First feeding was incredible!!!

[blueberrypancakes]

Just fed Jackson live rat pup. It was kinda sad, 'cause the rat cried a bunch, but he wouldn't take the pre-killed. He took the live within five minutes, though! I was a little weary of handling him or picking him up at first, now I really have a healthy respect for the little guy...
When he was finished, he reset his jaw, but then he started rubbing his nose like he was shedding. (He just shed this morning.) Is that normal? Also, when is it safe to replace his hides and cage decor without risking regurg? And one more thing- he struck from his water dish and sloshed a bunch of water onto his floor. It typically dries quickly after a misting, (paper towel substrate on top of the reptile carpeting) so is it worth it to disturb him to clean up the tank? (I'm kinda voting no, but I'm a newbie...)
That was so crazy nuts, I'm just in awe of him right now. Watching them eat is what attracted me to snakes in the first place, but I'd never seen it in person. My husband said "that's the coolest thing I've seen in a long time...", and he wasn't exactly all for me getting a ball python in the first place!

[ballpythonluvr]

Yes, it is normal for him to rub his nose like that. I have seen my snake do it after having a meal. I think the little bit of water spillage won't hurt anything as long as it is not soaking wet. Congrats on the first feeding by the way.

[Kinra]

Congrats on your first feeding!

I would probably start putting the hides back in while he's constricting. You really don't even need to take them out. After he eats he's going to be looking for his warm side hide to digest in.