Quote Originally Posted by sorakitty View Post
Sometimes the snakes don't have a good enough grip on their prey to coil after. I've noticed this with my girl, especially when she was in shed. I personally don't feed her in her tank, I take her out, and even though some say it can stress out the snake, my girl has always had a great feeding response! I can hear she strike the moment I place the top of the separate box. There was one or two times when I could hear her thump against the side of the box, then 30 seconds later, I can her grab and coil the rat. I personally wouldn't be worried about the strike and miss. Next time just drop the prey item in. Don't dangle it or anything, and if she misses, don't re-pick it up, just give her time, and keep a eye out to make sure the prey doesn't harm your snake (I just recently ran into that problem). I wouldn't be worried about your tank being to crowded. I feed my girl in a box that is just the right size. This is just my own two cents being thrown out there. By no means am I an expert. I only own one ball python and I've had her for 3 months. This is just my own advice based on my own experience and from reading other's post's that where given for advice.
I wouldn't do this.

#1 when feeding live prey, watch at ALL times. You should witness the strike and death.
#2 there's no need to remove the snake for feeding.

Wait until the next schedualed feeding day to try again. And as other posters have said there is no need to dangle. Pop the prey item on the oppiste side that your snake is on. Keep an eye out and as soon as your snake catches a wiff of that delicious little morsel shell be all over it.

One week is nothing for a bp to not eat. Don't worry.