Ignoring the offered food and reaching up and out of the enclosure

[redshepherd]

How long do you leave the rat in there before you remove it? I've heard others say that their pythons will ignore the food for several minutes then return to eat.

My little Reggie started doing what you describe. He would wrap up the prey, then seemingly lose interest and start searching around the top of the tub like the dead rat was invisible. I'd remove it right away, thinking it cooled off, warm it up, and Reg would be launching out of the tub wildly to grab it and then end up losing it again. In his case, I found out his hides were getting in the way of him eating. He likes to do a lap or two around the tub, carrying his trophy while he eats. Once I removed the hides and water dish before feeding, he stopped getting frustrated and dropping the food. Haven't had any issues since.

She actually doesn't wrap it, just stretches her neck up and ignores it from the tongs completely. And no matter how I offer or stick it in her face, it's like she doesn't see it, but keeps going UP.

I've had what you describe happen most feeding days (just happened 20 minutes ago), and I just reheat and reoffer and they get it eventually too. Their hides do get in the way most of the time LOL.