How'd he do that?!?!

[sarbear]

We fed my BP last night and he got the f/t mouse by the butt/hip. He's done this once before and that time, after working with it for a while, he finally swallowed it backwards. The whole time I was worried and kept asking my husband if we should turn it around to help him, but we just left him alone and he ate it fine.

This time the mouse was bigger than it was the last time he ate it backwards though. So after trying for a bit he let go and felt around the mouse with his face a few times until he finally latched onto the mouse's head straight on and swallowed it up.

What was he doing when he was feeling all over the mouse with his face? Was he sensing heat? However he did it, it was pretty cool to watch him.

Also, is it ok to let him swallow a mouse backwards? I worry that the mouse's nails are going to scratch the snake inside on the way down haha. The reason that the snake got the butt those 2 times was because the first time was maybe the 2nd time we fed it and my husband was jumpy and dropped the tongs when the snake went to strike the mouse and this time my daughter bumped his arm and made him drop the mouse off the tongs. Even though we know it's coming, we're still spooked every time he strikes

[Generationshell]

My Bp tends to eat it tail first also. He has done it quite a few times and I know although many don't recommend them eating it backwards. I don't believe it does much harm. Just keep a close eye on the Bp when he eats it backwards to make sure he gets it down alright.

I'm not quite sure how they know to got towards the nose/head of the mouse. Sometimes mine tries to eat the mouse horizontally and I'll just walk away knowing that hes gnna have to eventually realize he cant eat it that way.

Whether he eats it head or tail first, as long as he gets it down alright and eats, I am a happy camper :]

[AussieSnakes48]

Try tongs? Thats what I'm trying my next feeding.

[Generationshell]

After a few feedings. You get used to the striking. And it doesn't bother you anymore.

I've just come to expect it. That way I won't be jumpy.
You will def get used to it don't worry :] --then there won't be any need for the tongs

There's really no reason to use tongs unless you really want to. I know very few ppl use them.

[ClarkT]

I would assume they can smell the difference between the nose end and the butt end...

I love the jump it gives me with a strong feeding response! I wish they all would be that excited to eat!

[A.VinczeBPs]

It won't be harmful, just watch the feeding process to make sure nothing goes wrong.

You get used to the scare, however, you may always jump. I use hemostats for my larger females to prevent dropping a rat. Way better than tongs.

[Aes_Sidhe]

yYea i use hemostat to.. Good tip (stolen from Dr. Del) Is Blow a little heat on rodent head with hair dyer making it warmer... I'm doing this and my male striking almost perfectly every time