Odd behavior?

[bean138]

Hello all! Im new here and have a question. Our BP has gone on her first hunger strike. ( about 1 month now) I know this is not unusual ( just frustrating). Her husbandry is exactly as is should be, she's healthy and active so no concerns there. BUT, last night we decided to try to feed her in her cage ( yes I know this in general is a no no) Shes usually fed in another container. We dangled the mouse outside her hide and she eagerly took it. But then she proceeded to drag it around her enclosure and then dropped it her her water bowl and then went back to her hide. This stuck me as really odd. Any ideas what this was all about?? Thanks!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Feeding in the cage is actually the preferred method of feeding. You are more likely to have issues feeding in a separate container vs feeding in the cage. Feeding in the cage won't make the snake aggressive, that is a myth.

While frustrating this type of behavior isn't all that uncommon. I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts happening on a regular basis.

[Pyrate81]

Feeding in the cage is preferred by the vast majority of snake owners on this forum. It is a place of security and comfort for the snake. Few people feed their snakes outside the enclosure. Think of it as the difference between eating at your kitchen table vs eating in your car.

For why the snake dragged the rodent around the cage is one of those strange things snakes do on occasion. I find once in awhile it assists in getting the rodent in a decent position for consumption. If it happens again, remove the rodent from the water, dry it off, then place it in front of the hide overnight.


to BP.net

[bean138]

Hummmm, We've never had issues feeding her in the other container before. Maybe we'll try again in her cage although its not a habit we planned on getting into. I hate to see her go with out eating. I know she'll eat when she's ready. I think its harder on me! lol

[Reptile Frenzy]

We feed inside the enclosure also. Dont have time to take 60 snakes out one at a time and feed in another container. We have had snakes drag the rodent around the drop.it into the water bowl and seems like they cant find it and give up. My best bet is the water cooled the rodent enough to where the snake wasent picking up the heat signature on it anymore. No worries!

[Tarzan152]

My kids (aka my BPs) are on their usual winter hunger strike and its up to 3 months now so don't worry at all about the 1month fast. As for feeding in the enclosure, it's whatever works for you. The aggression thing is definitely a myth, at least for my kids. I started feeding them in their enclosure a while ago and their attitude haven't changed a bit.

As for dragging around the rat, lol. Probably just strutting around showing off what he caught. Lol..

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

[h20hunter]

We feed in the cage as well....no issues. What made me smile was the water dish. We fed ours Friday evening....left the f/t rat in a new spot for her to hunt it up which she did.....then took it right to the water dish and dunked it. She goofed with it for a bit and spent some time with her head under water checking things out and moving it around. Once she was ready, horked it down no problem. Results were we were entertained, she is fed, and hydrated that much more.

[bean138]

Thanks everyone! She ate in her cage tonight with no issues.

[Slim]

its not a habit we planned on getting into.

Not a habit, it's just how the majority of us successfully feed our collections.

Why does this cage feeding myth continue to float around our community? Couldn't be all the well meaning experts at PETCO and PetSmart, could it?