Jake doesn't ball around his mice. At his feeds, he never strikes at the tongs, so we end up laying over on his hot side so that it stays warm and shut the lights off, cover the top so that the smell stays in. Usually in 5 mins or so, he's out. We generally are doing something else and just "notice" he has eaten. But last night we actually watched him. He struck the tail, pulled it by the tail off the paper towel. He struck the face, and just started to swallow. Granted the mouse was a hopper, so it took him longer (his first hopper, the others have been fuzzies) but is it ok that he doesn't coil? Does he just sense it's dead and doesn't need to coil? IDK, hubby said a lot of sick snakes don't coil, but dang he doesn't act like he's sick. He stays in his hides most of the day, and when we turn the lights off, he's out exploring, basking etc. So, should this warrant a vet or is it ok?