Weird feeding behavior?

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

Today was feeding day for everyone, and something strange happened when I went to feed Kovu, my pastel ghost BP. It had been two weeks since he'd eaten because he was in shed, and when I went in with the F/T rat he grabbed it like usual and started constricting, but I'm wondering if I made too much noise near his cage because he dropped it and left it, going back into his hide and showing no further interest in it. I thought this was weird. He was always a good eater before. Could it be he's turning into a shy feeder as he's getting older? He'll be two years old this October. Has this happened with anyone else's BP's? I'm curious to know, as I'm pretty new to ball pythons and have only been keeping them for a year. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Luciferskeeper]

Did you make extremely loud noises, and scare him? You said did you make too much noise. Just wondering what you may have done and possibly scared him?

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

I was getting ready to unlock Nala's cage to feed her--her cage is stacked on top of his--and I dropped the keys on the floor--maybe the movement of me bending over to pick them up scared him?

[Luciferskeeper]

I doubt that! I say that because I hover in front of my rack until im sure all rats are dead and they're starting to swallow before I walk away. Usually opening each tub a time or two as well. Was it f/t? If so was it evenly thawed?

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

It was F/T, & I give it a shot with a hair dryer near his cage right before I feed him so the scent brings him out of his hide--I guess it's possible it wasn't quite warm enough for him.

[Luciferskeeper]

Well we will never really know cause he can't say. They can be so picky sometimes that it could've been anything. Maybe the initial strike was defensive and he never intended to eat!?!

[RoseyReps]

I've had my adult male strike/coil and kill a live rat, then leave it. Sometimes they're weird like that.

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

Could be--but his last meal before he shed was the live rat Nala refused--I just hope he doesn't decide to only eat live--but he attacked the F/T just like he did the live--strange creatures they are, BP's!

[SnakeLuvnGirl]

I'm glad I'm not the only one this happened to--I feel a bit better--hopefully he'll be good & hungry next feeding day!

[Luciferskeeper]

Live is not as bad as it seems to some people! But I can understand yiur frustration!