"Funny" eaters?

[CuddlesThePython]

Evening, everyone! I've noticed that my baby has some really odd eating habits. Although he's one and a half years old, he still really likes to eat rat pups - and only *brown* rat pups. I know its normal for ball pythons to be fussy, but my snake also seems to have difficulty swallowing. He seems to have a lot of trouble finding the "swallowin' end" of his rats as my fiancee likes to say. He always tries to eat it feet first for at least 15-20 mind before stopping to look for the head. I've also noticed him "mashing" his food against his cage sides/furniture before eating it. Last night he mashed his rat up until it was uniformly "mushy" (sorry this is the least gross way that I can describe it); then he grabbed both feet and face and shoved the whole thing in his mouth all at once! Should I be worried about him having some sort of neurological problem, or is this normal?

[Boanerges]

I have never seen any of mine mash theirs up but as long as he is eating then I wouldn't think it is a big deal. Some prefer smaller sizes so that is not a big deal either that he eats smaller. Hopefully he eats multiple small ones though? And it really does not matter which end he eats first as long as he gets it down okay.

[abuja]

I'd have to say normal. My snake occasionally has similar problems, but bps are just naturally finicky. I'd say that the chances of your bp having neurological problems that only affect his eating habits are pretty low, but if you're worried, you can ask a vet to take a look at him.

[stevepoppers]

I think they're just clumsy. Mine normally hasn't had any problem, but last time, after she grabbed the mouse in half a second, ended up swallowing the head sideways and got it stuck for like a minute, dragging and swinging it around. Kinda funny, but I felt bad for her. She got it eventually.

[jbean7916]

I guess I have just gotten lucky with Chumley, he'll eat anything I toss in there. Live, F/T, Mouse or Rat!!!