snake struck at me - whats up?

[steveb]

OK, I've been trying to get our guy back on feed (F/T) for a month now, trying every week. He's about a year old and always was good eater. Just lost interest about 4-5 feedings ago. So today, again doing the hair dryer thing, he shows a little interest but not really. When I dropped the rat by accident and went to pick it up with the tongs, instead of going for the rat, he just struck at my hand holding the tongs. Now i'm wondering if i'm heading for trouble, since he was always docile before. And we have lots of kids around here who we want to be able to hold him. I have purposely not been handling him for the last few weeks and just leaving him alone, aside from cleaning and watering.

Thanks for any ideas.

[Vypyrz]

I would say that either:

1) He was freaked out by the sudden movement and it was a defensive strike...

or

2) He could smell the rat, saw movement, and your hand had the biggest heat signature, so that is what he aimed at...

I had a BP living in a 29gal tank and he was eating F/T for a couple of months, then just decided he didn't want anything to do with them. After a month of refusing F/T, I offered a live rat and he took it. It wasn't until several months later, when I moved him into a tub, that I successfully converted him back to F/T. So I would suggest to try offering a live prey for the next feeding and see if he takes it. But that is up to you. Good luck...

[stevepoppers]

He probably just was actually hungry and mistook your hand for the rat. I wouldn't worry.

[BPelizabeth]

what vyp said!!!

[moravaguy]

id almost say your hand may have gave a better heat signal than the rat, when you blow dry them they cool down really fast but he could still smell it, would be my best guess

[seercirra]

i agree. i have this problem frequently where they are activated by the smell and rush out of the hide but then appear to show little interest.. if he's aroused by the smell then you know that he wants to eat, its just a case of identifying the food. using a hairdryer sucks. ive found getting a hot cup of water and dipping the mouse for 5 or 10 seconds and immediately offering it to the snake is best. make sure its not hot enough to scold him though.