Behira ate a 110G F/T medium rat tonight. She's on medium rats every three weeks now.
I've been feeding her within a minute of her lights going out and hunt mode kicking in. It seems to cut down on the door striking. Plus, I can see where she is right before the light go out and go the opposite side of the tank!
I offered the rat to her and she was interested, but seemingly more interested in squeezing her head through the tiny opening at the top of the acrylic door I had open to stick the tongs through. NOT GOOD!
I had to think fast (luckily I use 2 foot tongs) and quickly opened the door more, bumped her on the head with the rat, and as soon as she stuck her head back in the tank, dropped the rat, and shut the door quick. She half struck at the closing door as it bumped into her head, but in the same strike managed to grab the rat off the floor in front of her, and wrap it up. She ate happily. I am actually going to prefer when she's bigger and won't be able to squeeze her head threw that tiny door opening on top.
Katie was watching and kept saying, "this is bad, this is bad." I wasn't too worried. She's been better about nailing the doors and striking wildly and I am getting her figured out, at least a little.
I'd be lying if I said my heart did race a little, but I stayed calm, no one got hurt or struck at (except the rat), and she's got a full belly now. Katie stayed really calm too and was both relived and impressed with how I handled the situation. Crisis averted!
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