Albino Wobble?

[Tikall]

I've noticed the last few times I've fed my albino bp, she sort of does a slight shake just before striking... She never misses her target, but I do see a shake. I ignored it the first time, but she's done it the last few times (maybe she did it before and I didn't notice, I don't know for sure??).

I thought maybe this was normal striking behavior, so I looked on youtube for a bunch of feeding videos to see how other BPs move. The normals, mojaves, pastels, etc seemed to be pretty steady, which got me worried. Then I searched just for albinos, and in the two clear videos I found, the snakes had the same sort of shake!? I thought wobbling was mostly a spider thing, and seeing it in two albinos just on youtube, while not impossible because I know other morphs have rarely been seen with the wobble (even normals), would be unlikely. Perhaps I was just missing it in the other videos?

Here is an example of what I mean.
YouTube - Female Albino Ball Python eating

Especially around 45-58 seconds into the video. Is that a wobble or typical pre-striking posture? I don't feed live, but my bp does the same sort of moves to the f/t rats.

[m00kfu]

I didn't really see much of a wobble in the video. What I DID see however, is something that a few of my balls, one of my boas, and one of my black bloods all do... and that is getting really excited about a meal. What you're probably mistaking for a wobble is just heavy breathing.

[Lucas339]

if your talking about that rocking back and forth then thats nothing to worry about. all my snakes do it....except my hog. you should see my chondro do it!

[Tikall]

Phew thanks guys! Yeah I was talking about the neck/head moving side to side a little. I've never seen a real feeding wobble from a spider, but I heard they could be slight. Got me scared ! I worry about every little thing the girl does lol... Thank goodness it's normal!

[Hapa_Haole]

On a side note, do you know the person who posted that video? It looks like the prey size could be bumped up a bit. That mouse is definitely not as big as the widest part of the snake.

[snakecharmer3638]

On a side note, do you know the person who posted that video? It looks like the prey size could be bumped up a bit. That mouse is definitely not as big as the widest part of the snake.

Think thats bad? Check this one out.


YouTube - Ball Python vs Pinky

[RoyalGuardian]

I didn't really see much of a wobble in the video. What I DID see however, is something that a few of my balls, one of my boas, and one of my black bloods all do... and that is getting really excited about a meal. What you're probably mistaking for a wobble is just heavy breathing.

I concur that it is just post feed excitement! I really didn't see a "wobble" of any kind.

[Tikall]

I don't know that person, but a LOT of the videos are of prey that is either far too large, or too small . They're usually told what appropriate sized prey is in the comments.

[Patrick Long]

All I see is the camera wobbling LOL

[ohyeahnow]

I don't know that person, but a LOT of the videos are of prey that is either far too large, or too small . They're usually told what appropriate sized prey is in the comments.

LOL, agree. I never worry if my prey is too small, because I can always feed double to get the right amount of food, or feed again sooner. Too large can lead to problems for sure. 20+ years ago as a teenager I feed a black snake too large of a prey. Only led to regurgitation. Luckily I was in a herp society and knew the local biology teacher at the college who was big on herps, I always had educated advice.. I was quickly educated on too big being a no no.

Was nice to be able to go to that Professor's office and learn as such a young kid. Was also nice to have a good home for my two retics after a few years. Don't think my mom realized how big they got. I quickly realized how much a bite from a big snake hurts.