Baila de los muertes

[adamsmasher]

Today was the second time I've fed Monty a live rat (boy he was fiesty) and Monty's true primordial instincts revealed themselves and he killed the rat. What I saw next was as beautiful as it was puzzling:

I noticed that once he released the rat he didn't proceed to eat it right away, in fact it was about 15 minutes before he started consumption. During this 15 minute period he would smell and crawl around and on the prey almost as if he were basking in the glory of his battle. At times it looked as if her were going to try to devour the rat but he wasn't starting at the head, he seemed a little confused. At other times it seemed as if he were sniffing himself or checking himself out to make sure he hadn't sustained any injuried during the apprehension of his victual. At times he moved with a sort of grace. I'm new to the live feeding side of things so I don't know if this is normal behaviour or not. Please tell me.


Chris

[sg1trogdor]

Yeah my blood does that he will constrict then release then rubs his face all of the prey but not eat it for a few minutes. Granted this is when he actually does constrict. normally he just gently grabs it and pulls it into his hide.

[adamsmasher]

Yeah the weirdest part was on several occassions he was biting the rat as if he was trying to eat it but realized he was starting at the wrong part of the rat.

[rabernet]

A lot of the delay between killing and eating is checking to make sure that it's actually safe to eat. In the wild, they are at their most vulnerable when they are in the process of eating. They can't flee and they can't strike to ward off an attack. They're not basking in the glory of the kill.

[adamsmasher]

I didn't know what he was doing that why I asked. Its only human to want to personify animals especially out pets, its part of what connects us to them. I appreciate your insight, thank you.

[roosterman2173]

Yeah my blood does that he will constrict then release then rubs his face all of the prey but not eat it for a few minutes. Granted this is when he actually does constrict. normally he just gently grabs it and pulls it into his hide.

My Blood pulls his food in her hide like she don't want you to see how big her mouth is!!

[dsirkle]

My Spider won't start eating in front of me. Maybe he just wants a little privacy.

[adamsmasher]

I dim the lights just bright enough so I can see whats going on in the box. I never leave the feeding box until he starts to eat the snake. He couldnt see me.