Odd feeding behavior

[mackynz]

So I fed Loki last night, he is past due to move up to the next size rat, so I have been feeding him two (15% weight) until I run out. Normally when I offer it to him he comes over, tongue flicking and will bump his nose into it a few times before strike. It usually takes about ten seconds. He took the first rat immediately and when I offered the second when he seemed even more interested. S shape, tongue flicking, bumping it with his snout and then... he went past the rat and started up the tongs toward my hand. I figured I had the scent on me and was probably warmer than the rat so I put it under the hair dryer and offered again. Same thing. I left it in his cage and he showed interest, but then did something really odd. He arched his head/neck over the rat and held the position, making sure not to touch it, puting his head down on the other side. He did this a few times and then put his head down on the rat like it was a pillow and just sat there 15 minutes later he ate it, without constricting. I know he is used to being fed, but he would make a horrible predator in the wild...

tl;dr: fed my snake, he decided to sit there and arch his body over the rat without touching it and then used it as a pillow.

[dr del]

He's learned he doesn't need to waste energy constricting the dead ones.

[Annarose15]

Too funny. He probably didn't care much whether he ate the second one, which was why he was exploring your arm instead. I had a similar feeding experience happen last night. I have a pastel female hatchling that hadn't eaten her first meal yet. I was in a patient mood last night, so I thawed/warmed a rat pink (usually use live fuzzies to start), and just held it with tongs in front of her - no zombie dance, just still. After about 5 full minutes of bumping and smelling it, she slooowwwlllyyyyy opened her mouth and just started swallowing it straight off the tongs! Silly BPs!

[EAC Reptiles]

I have a few snakes that are like that. I have two boas who strike at the rat off the tongs but do not constrict it and then just start eating it. I also have a retic that I just toss the rat in the cage, he will come up to it kinda bite it and just lay a partial coil on it, he will sit there a few minutes and then start eating it. They are all weird but I love them.

[Salamander Rising]

So I fed Loki last night, he is past due to move up to the next size rat, so I have been feeding him two (15% weight) until I run out. Normally when I offer it to him he comes over, tongue flicking and will bump his nose into it a few times before strike. It usually takes about ten seconds. He took the first rat immediately and when I offered the second when he seemed even more interested. S shape, tongue flicking, bumping it with his snout and then... he went past the rat and started up the tongs toward my hand. I figured I had the scent on me and was probably warmer than the rat so I put it under the hair dryer and offered again. Same thing. I left it in his cage and he showed interest, but then did something really odd. He arched his head/neck over the rat and held the position, making sure not to touch it, puting his head down on the other side. He did this a few times and then put his head down on the rat like it was a pillow and just sat there 15 minutes later he ate it, without constricting. I know he is used to being fed, but he would make a horrible predator in the wild...

tl;dr: fed my snake, he decided to sit there and arch his body over the rat without touching it and then used it as a pillow.

This is not "odd".

I have several lazy slobs who "cuddle" their plopped-down supper before swallowing it.

They're BPS.

BPs are weird.



[the Boa *plays* with his food for a good 20 minutes]

[HerpIsAhobby]

This is not "odd".

They're BPS.

BPs are weird.

That is so very true.

[jtomb1510]

I have 2 bp's that do the same thing. I don't even bother offering the rat on tongs anymore. I just lay it down in their tub a little in front of their hide and walk away. An hour or two later, the rat will be gone. I just chalk it up to bp's being bp's lol.

[keegen456]

Cute

I fed Spock tonight and he struck and coiled the F/T rat after I dangled it like normal. But then while trying to get his mouth around it, he ended up dunking his head, along with the rat in his water dish. So I tried to help him out and stuck my tongs in to move the rat out of the water and Spock started a tug of war with me over it and I ended up breaking the tail off So I left Spock with his very soggy rat and he finally figured out how to get it out of his water dish and eat it about 10 minutes later. Silly snake.

[Tfpets]

I don't think any of my corns know how to eat live! Out of laziness, I have tried a couple of times and get a snake version of a disgusted look. Like "Are you kidding me?! It's moving!" Spoiled brats!