Constricted then dropped?

[AquariaNautica]

Hello!
My baby Royal Python has been with me since Christmas, and has had two successful meals with me so far, however I tried to feed him today (after him refusing yesterday) and he struck the mouse as usual and started constricting it. However he then proceeded to drag is over into his corner and dropped it, after which sat there in a strike position as if guarding the mouse. Does any one have any ideas on what could have brought on this behaviour? Thank you

[T_Sauer]

How old exactly is he and what's his weight? Anytime I've had something similar to this happen I just leave them be and they end up eating it.

[Reinz]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's been my experience as well.

[DennisM]

I wouldn't worry about it. Sometimes they eat, sometimes they don't. If the snake refuses a meal, I wouldn't bother trying again the next day. I'd try again on the next scheduled feed day.

[AquariaNautica]

Thank you! I'm not entirely sure of his weight, and I believe he was one of the hatchlings for October last year. I took the mouse out, as he had it covered in blood and where he had bit it there was blood also coming out :/ If it ever happens again I'll leave him with the mouse then!

[Sonny1318]

If it happens again, you could try using a hair dryer on the mouse. Then re offer, it always works for me. 🙂

[jasca]

I also experienced my young boy (hatchling October 2015) guarding his mouse, still kind of constricting it, until I left the room
He was quite nervous and kept examining the area before he decided to finally eat ^^

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[AllThatInThemGenes]

leave it in with them, as others have said they will normally take the prey if already showing that much interest.

[AquariaNautica]

Thank you all for your input, it really helped! I tried again warming it with the hairdryer this time after thawing it out in water for 2 hours and he snapped it up! I think he was anticipating it coming, as he sat in strike position for nearly the whole two hours 😂 I was going to leave and try feeding him on Sunday again, but I took the mouse out without having thinking and out it in water before I realised 🐹
Thanks everyone!

[Cpit225]

I seem to have this problem a lot if the f/t rat isnt as warm as it should be. When the snake goes from attack mode to eat mode it loses interests because the prey is not warm enough so theyll drop the food item and move on. I'll just reach in with my tongs grab the rat hold it under a heat lamp until its nice and warm then offer it again seems like 9/10 times I can get them to strike again and eat no problem. Prey size also plays a big role if it's too big and the snake thinks it cant handle it itll drop it also. If it totally loses interest ill pass it on to a girl who wont say no