Different feeding behavior...

[emeraldwinter]

Once again I am curious but not worried... I hope my threads aren't getting annoying lol

The past couple of months my snake has been feeding differently. His temps and humidity are relatively constant and within normal ranges and he always sheds perfectly. He's about a year and a half old and growing nicely since I got him on rats about 8 months ago, last time I weighed him he was just over a kg.

He has never refused a feed and eats once every 7-10 days, a F/T rat about as big as his thickest part. BUT for the past month or so (last 3 or 4 feedings) he hasn't been striking... the last time he struck it was a bit sketchy- he lunged sideways kind of as I was bringing the rat towards him and missed it and then struck again but really slowly and didn't coil it before eating it (this was a month ago). Since then he only just looks really interested by smelling it all over and following the rat when I offer, but doesn't strike. I've been leaving the rat with him and he has been eating it with no problems after a little while but it just seems a bit strange to me. Same batch of rats all along.

His behavior hasn't changed other than that. He's eating so I'm not really worried, just seems weird. Thoughts?

[AK907]

That is perfectly normal. I wouldn't even think twice about it as long as he is eating. Sometimes they just want a little privacy.

[warlord]

maybe hes concious of his eating habits and wants to be left to eat alone lol

but from other threads ive seen this is normal

[emeraldwinter]

Well that's good to hear I just thought maybe because he'd changed there might be a reason I'm unaware of but maybe/probably I'm just too nosy about his table manner

[Mike41793]

The first meal my cinny girl took she lunged for the rat like it had insulted her mother. 7 days later she doesnt even flinch while i offer it to her. So i just set it in there next to her and i come back 10min later and the rats gone. All of the sudden shes miss picky eater who doesnt like to be watched lol!

[Sacstate707]

My girl just got over a really bad stomach burn and finally ate after about 2 months. She doesn't strike at her mice, never has. She's SUPER picky and only eats if I put the mouse half-way in the entrance of her hide. as long as she eats im happy. But it sounds like your snake is normal, prolly just a little shy.

[AK907]

Yup, I agree with the shy theory. We've had a few balls suddenly decide to be shy eaters. But you give them a little privacy and all is well. I don't know how some folks keep hundreds of balls. We only keep a few dozen and its hard enough keeping track of who has to be fed in what way and all that crap. It'll drive ya mad.

[notmyfault]

I have my male pastel that only eats in privacy. I leave the f/t rat in with him and if I take even the slightest peek at him and he sees me, he won't eat it so I usually just leave the room for an hour and check to see the rat gone.

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