bp rack feeding problem

[liquidskin]

Hello folks,

Ive had a ball python for about a year, and recently got a female as well. Upgraded to a nice rack and have had no problems with it at all. The only issue i seem to have, which continues to worsen as the male gets larger is that when I open up the drawer when its time to eat, he pops out very quickly. Full hunt mode, half of his body hanging out of the rack. This happened last night and I didnt know what to do. I didnt want to offer him the mouse while he was so far extended out of the enclosure. At the same time, I cant push him back in to the rack or anything or Im going to get hit. The only thing I could think of last night to get him to go back into the rack was to mist him. This worked, but its not something id like to make a habit of. Furthermore, going in to handle him seems like a roll of the dice. He seems to always want to eat, and once the heat of my hand comes near, he thinks its time.

Any suggestions? I really dont want to have another feeding experience like last night, it wasnt cool.

Thanks

[Snakes_in_a_shed]

have you tried just moveing himin with your hand or is he realy agressive if he is deffo gonni take a goat you then maybe a hook

just a few questions
dose he do this all the time and are you presencting him

[PythonWallace]

I have a few who will come out before I drop a rat in, but I've never been bit. Sometimes if it's one that's known to shoot out I'll grab it and put it back inside, then I'll get a rat and drop it in. If I already have the rat in hand I'll just drop it into the bin and the snakes usually turn around and go back inside to eat. If you really think that he would bite you, have a small plastic shoe box or a small flower pot handy, and use it to guide him back into the tub as you are dropping the rat in. Once they know there is food in the bin, they forget about coming out and go back to eat.

[liquidskin]

I have a few who will come out before I drop a rat in, but I've never been bit. Sometimes if it's one that's known to shoot out I'll grab it and put it back inside, then I'll get a rat and drop it in. If I already have the rat in hand I'll just drop it into the bin and the snakes usually turn around and go back inside to eat. If you really think that he would bite you, have a small plastic shoe box or a small flower pot handy, and use it to guide him back into the tub as you are dropping the rat in. Once they know there is food in the bin, they forget about coming out and go back to eat.

well, i am feeding frozen and have always dangled the mice for them. the whole drop thing has worked on some occasions, but not always. though, with the recent behavior, i think its probably my best bet..

[PythonWallace]

Ahh, f/t. If he'll take it off the floor, then you shouldn't have any worries. If he only goes for the tongs, just try getting him back inside the tub like I mentioned, before you have the rat in your hand. A thin leather glove will hide the heat from your hand too, and protect you from teeth.

[rabernet]

Sounds like an awesome feeding response!

[rabernet]

have you tried just moveing himin with your hand or is he realy agressive if he is deffo gonni take a goat you then maybe a hook

Umm, have YOU tried moving a snake that's in feed mode before with your hand? Get back with us on that one when you've tried it!

[monk90222]

I have some that do that also, I usually just tap them on the head (gently of course) with one of those hatchling extendable hooks....they usually go back into the tub, then the rat gets dropped in....

[Freakie_frog]

Umm, have YOU tried moving a snake that's in feed mode before with your hand? Get back with us on that one when you've tried it!

Its more fun than a Barrel of Monkeys..

[jkobylka]

Umm, have YOU tried moving a snake that's in feed mode before with your hand? Get back with us on that one when you've tried it!

I have! I didn't enjoy the result!

I have several that will shoot out of their bin each week. I always pull the bin open far enough that I can toss the rodent in behind them. If they don't turn around I use the snake hook to kind of re situate them so i can push the drawer closed.

If you're feeding f/t. invest in a LONG pair of tongs for those crazy feeding adults.