That's odd about some water leaking from his face...maybe he drank water shortly before you picked him up?

How long is Dakota? Here I'll admit I haven't measured my spot. python in a long while, so I can only estimate she's about 3.5-4' long, but the largest she eats are
small mice/hoppers. I'm surprised at the size prey that your guy is taking, as I think they're similar size (your snake & mine).