Borneo STP striking glass during feeding...

[Craiga 01453]

The past 6 or 7 feedings my Borneo boy has been striking the glass once he smells his prey. The last 2 feedings he struck harder and a few times (3 or 4) as opposed to typically one time the previous few feedings.

Although I know this isn't really "uncommon" among snakes, I've never seen it quite like this in my personal experience.

Any clues what may be triggering it recently? Nothing changed enclosure or husbandry wise. Same prey. Same handling. His demeanor seems otherwise completely the same. Feeding routine is the same. So I'm kind a stumped. Could it be that spring is in the air?

Are there any tricks to curbing this behavior? I'd rather he not break his jaw, or the glass for that matter.

I typically don't put too much weight into these things, snakes will be snakes, but it's been frequent and consistent to the point I'm seeing a pattern developing. If I can get ahead of it somehow that would be great.

[JodanOrNoDan]

I don't know what you are keeping him in but i would suggest covering the glass before you bring the prey into the room.

[Craiga 01453]

I don't know what you are keeping him in but i would suggest covering the glass before you bring the prey into the room.

He's in a Neodesha.

Hmmm, that's a thought. But it seems scent driven. I'll certainly give it a shot if you think it'll help.

[Bogertophis]

Covering the glass is all I can think of too...he might be seeing his own reflected motion & with the scent of food...? So maybe his light (if any) should be out too?
-I have no experience w/ these in particular, but I had a bearded dragon that tried to fight with his own reflections.

[AbsoluteApril]

I agree, covering the glass or doing your best to minimize movement in front is really all you can do. It's possible breeding season or spring can cause an increase in appetite.
Boas do this a lot.

dakski installed a curtain on his boa's cage to help stop his boa Behira from doing it so much.
Second photo in this thread: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hlight=curtain

[JodanOrNoDan]

He's in a Neodesha.

Hmmm, that's a thought. But it seems scent driven. I'll certainly give it a shot if you think it'll help.

Think of it as a conditioning opportunity. I have never kept one but I imagine the brain capacity is similar to a ball. You will be teaching him the covering the glass means feeding time. I agree with Boger... probably sent + perceived movement. I have a ball with the same behavior. I feed in a pretty dark room and he can only see out of one side of the tub so I don't walk in front of it when there are rats in the room. The funny part in my case is this is my boy that did not eat on his own for around two years, then one day... Now he is nuts and strikes very hard. Mice, rats, birds he doesn't care as long as its warm.

[Craiga 01453]

Ok, thanks all. I'll definitely be covering the glass next week.

Thanks for reminding me of Dakski's thread. I remember it now that you reminded me.

[bcr229]

Just about all of my snakes have shown increased appetite over the last month with the onset of spring.

If it's an option you can try warming the feeders outside, maybe in the garage. I put mine in warm water in a cooler. If your snake isn't smelling warming rat or rabbit for hours before being fed maybe he won't be quite so wound up at feeding time.

[GoingPostal]

My BST girl does quite often, I had my mom make "curtains" for my boa cages because they tend to do it but should get her one too. She's just a really eager feeder so I am more careful about my movements around the cage and feed her first on that set of cages.

[Danger noodles]

I have a suggestion that haven’t been said but only have balls so idk if it would help. But maybe prep the food outside his room and walk in and feed him first. I’ve noticed my balls take a few minutes of the rat being in the room to wake up and start getting ready. So I’d walk in and feed as quick as I could then go about your normal routine??