Change in feeding behavior...never struck before.

[kiiarah]

So it has been a while since I have posted, things have been going very smoothly with the new bp. We have had four successful feedings in a row and I am finally starting to learn his preferences when it comes to feeding routines. I have a question I wanted to run by everyone here though. Up until last night Shesha has never struck at his rat. He gets F/T and all of the times that he has eaten successfully I have thawed and warmed his food and just set it in front of the hide while the room is dark and quiet. He has always just cautiously slithered up to it, sniffed it a bit, and then put his mouth around it and dragged it back into his hide to swallow. He is somewhat timid and any "dancing" the rat around seems to make him turn tail and run. I have had him for a little over a month and have never seen him constrict his prey. Now, I did do some reading and found that in the case of feeding F/T or very small prey items this is not uncommon because the snake knows it isn't necessary. I have never even seen him ball, for the most part he is just a very gentle, relaxed snake.

Last night I set his rat in front of his hide as usual and he stuck his head out and seemed interested. When he got about an inch away from the rat he struck and immediately constricted. I actually gasped, I have never seen him move that fast. Keep in mind, the rat was not moving, I wasn't dangling it with tongs or anything. I feel like this is a sign that he is settling in, since he this was a much bolder feeding response than I have seen from him in the past. It seems as though an insecure snake would eat more cautiously so I am hoping this is indication that he is getting comfortable with the routine and his enclosure. What do you think? He is only three months so it did occur to me that he may just be getting older and getting the hang of things more, but I feel like I have seen and read about hatchlings constricting prey. I am not concerned since it seems to be pretty healthy and normal snake behavior. It was just strange that he would suddenly start behaving like a "proper" snake when he had been so passive before. I would love some insight into what may have brought about the change. So has anyone experienced this, it is just a normal snake development thing and do you think now that he has done it once he will have a more enthusiastic feeding response in the future? Thanks for the insight, he is just fascinating and I love learning what his behaviors mean.

[Eric Alan]

I almost feel bad for responding to your well thought out post with a short cliche answer, but... "He's just a snake being a snake." Any more than that would be a shot in the dark attempt at deciphering snake psychology, and I'm not getting an hourly couch rate here.

Enjoy your great feeding response while you've got it!

[kiiarah]

Haha, thank you Eric. I was so proud of him, it just seemed very much like he is more confident which makes me think he is adjusting well. I am scared to stop scenting with tuna. I had tried that tip the first time he ate and have been doing it ever since. Seems like a waste to open a can just to scent a rat and I am not a huge fan of tuna, but hey if he is liking it and eating well it is worth it. I was actually kind of bummed that he was so timid about feeding, they are so impressive when they constrict, just their speed and strength. I am really excited by the prospect of him doing this regularly. Nothing better than a snake "being a snake" I guess, lol. Really though, there is nothing like seeing them settle in and behave so naturally, it is incredibly reassuring.

[George1994]

Maybe try feeding him with tuna scenting the next few times as he seems to be getting more confident, then start using less of it or cut it out completely. Normally once they are confident and are eating and striking normally, they will go for anything. My male didn't eat for 3 months, and now when gets that smell of rodent, I'm sure he will take anything!