Grumpy after feeding

[Ludeboi]

So I fed Damien a couple of hours ago. It was my first time feeding him a rat. He usually eats two mice. He has been coiled since feeding and is acting very defensive. First time he's been like this after feeding. He usually just goes about his busniess after.

I tried to loosen him up with a hook and he struck at it. I've never seen him strike at anything before that he didnt eat. I'm kinda nervous about handling him. I feed him outside of his tank so at some point I'll have to put him back in.

Anyone know why's he's so moody?

[Swingline0.0.1]

I say he just had a big meal, and just wants to be left alone for a while!

[Ludeboi]

I say he just had a big meal, and just wants to be left alone for a while!

Would it be a problem to leave him in his feeding box overnight?

[Swingline0.0.1]

No, Don't leave him in there, because he will need the heat to digest, Just gently put him back into his cage, but for future reference, you can just feed him in his regular enclosure so their is not as much stress, for you or for him.

[don15681]

If he ate he needs to be on heat to digest his meal. If the feeding box has a hot spot around 90 it would be ok give him his water bowl also. if not hook him and use your other hand to also grab him, don't want to pull too much with the hook being he just ate. when you hook him should change his mood out of feeding. you can also use the hook to keep his head away from your hand. if you don't have a hook. throw a towel over him before grabbing him. this is a method used to remove a hisses mother from her eggs.

[dr del]

Hi,

What size was the rat in comparison to his normal mouse?

You have gotten him used to eating two items and he is now probably wondering where the second rat is.

I would just put him back in his enclosure amd let him digest his meal in peace.

It might also be worth considering feeding him in his enclosure next time as it avoids you having to move him afterwards.


dr del

[piper]

I don't like being poked at or picked up after eating

Sometimes they are still in feeding mode after they meal is down. I have a few that will strike after eating and it's hard to break that mood for a little while.

I feed in the enclosure personally, but too each their own.

[singingtothewheat]

Don't use a feeding box and this will not be a problem. I understand the reasoning behind wanting to use one. I did for quite a while.
Also. Damian probably still had a feeding response going on. How much did you feed him?

[steveboos]

Yeah i'd probably say hes still hungry and thats why he stuck at you. Hes used to another mouse coming in, so thats probably the only reason he did it.

[straydog1980]

yeah, mine has been pretty grumpy this time also. I fed him one adult mouse two days ago, and another one yesterday. Since the second mouse he seems to constantly be in "food" mode, very quick to react at anything going on around his terrarium. I just gave him some fresh water and he was up and about trying to decide whether to strike me or not....

He didn't do this the last time I fed him, hopefully he'll calm down after another day or two.