BP becoming gluttonous

[arajara]

Hi,

My 8yo BP has never eaten more than once every week or two. But this past week, after feeding her a medium rat, she went back into strike mode and stayed that way every time I saw her come back. So I got her a small rat 2 days later. She still wasn't satiated, so a couple days later I got her 2 small mice, for old times sake. She gobbled them up in no time and still after days assumes strike position. When she's in that mode, I don't want to open up the cage to handle her because I fear she might bight me as she has once before when waiting for prey like that. What gives? In 8 years I've never seen her with an appetite like this. Is she fueling up for winter hibernation or something? Does she think she can get pregnant soon?

Thanks for any advice.

-arajara

[Pythonfriend]

i think she just figured out how to control you by tricking you into doing her bidding. like a cat would do. You got owned

[loonunit]

Well, it's seasonal. I don't know why she has more of an appetite this particular year than previous years for you, but this is the time of year when they do get super hungry. I've been bitten twice in the last month, and by snakes that had just polished off second and third helpings and I guess they were hoping for fourths.

She's putting on weight for breeding season. Even if you don't breed her, she'll probably fast this winter, so you might as well fatten her up to get her through it.

[loonunit]

(If the cage aggression is worrying you, you can start feeding her in a cardboard box, and using gloves for getting her in and out of the box. I'm actually totally rude and tip the box over and dump the snakes out, as signal that feeding time is OVER, the next warm thing they'll be seeing is my hand.)

[arajara]

Thank you for the replies!



Actually I have a confession to make. I finally started feeding her rats this year

She's always seemed healthy, but maybe she is now finally exhibiting real mating signs this first rat-fed autumn.

[satomi325]

Yeah. It's that time of year where the girls start eating like mad.
They're storing reserves for breeding.

[loonunit]

Maybe it's the rats? Maybe she just really likes them. REALLY really.

But I've had strict mousers go into that kind of feeding frenzy this time of year. I think my record is 6 mice in one sitting? And she would have taken more, I just ran out.

[Inarikins]

Had a girl pound down a 175 gram rat (don't look at me like that, it had a week to fatten up past what I usually feed at) and she went right back to looking for more. She'd take anything I throw in there at her, I think.

[arajara]

Thank you everyone for your super informative replies! Just to let you know. I was able to take Nala out and handle her today after weeks of being uncooperative.

She obviously is looking for a mate, trying to get out of her cage. I think it's time to get her a mate, after 8 years. If anyone has any snakes suitable, I'm open to ideas.