Eating rat alive (not killing it first)

[StellaStarr]

So, I've had a ball python before, but not a baby one like I just got at a reptile expo a couple weeks ago. His feeding was the day after we got him and he ate his rat alive, didn't even try to constrict it. Yesterday was feeding number two, and this time he tried to constrict it but apparently didn't do well enough, because he started eating it and it was still alive once again. He's also eaten it backwards both times, which I've seen is a little more common, but what is up with him not killing his prey before swallowing it? Is this something I should be concerned about? I've never seen this before.

ETA: His first feeding was a pinky rat because they had no fuzzy mice at the only pet store in town.. yesterday he ate a fuzzy mouse.

[Chavo]

Howdy...plenty of snakes eat their prey without killing; even a ball python doesn't strike or constrict each and every time. He's probably too small right now to be eating a rodent that could cause much damage, but you never know. Always supervise while feeding live! :}

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Probably happening because a pinky rat is WAY too small. My Ball Python hatchlings eat rat pups for their first few meals.

[coldbloodaddict]

Probably happening because a pinky rat is WAY too small. My Ball Python hatchlings eat rat pups for their first few meals.

x2


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[StellaStarr]

Thanks for the feedback. The breeder was feeding him fuzzy mice (and therefor recommended I do the same). The pinky rat I fed him last week (because the pet store had no mice fuzzies at the time) was pretty much the same size as the fuzzy mouse I fed him this week, in which he did the same thing of eating it without killing it first. With the fuzzy mouse he did at least try to constrict first. The size of the rodents I've been feeding him are consistent with the size of his body.

[Archimedes]

Rat pups is where you need to go. small adult mice would do fine, but if you're set on live, be aware that they can and will fight back.

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[Chavo]

I don't think it has anything to do with size...they're not robots; they deviate from the norm once in a while.

[Chavo]

Offer a larger size if you can...

[Chavo]

(Crap, sorry about the extra post!)

[Stewart_Reptiles]

With BP (not talking of other species who take live literally ) this happens when the prey is way too small.

Pinky rats and fuzzy mice are way too small for a BP, hatchling are started on fuzzy rats and hopper mice and quickly move to bigger prey size.

Feed a prey equal to your BP's girth size (widest part of your BP's body)