BP losing rat after strike

[EthanMG]

Does anyone else have this problem? Every time I feed my ball python, he strikes within a couple seconds, wraps around, then once he unwraps he loses the rat. He moves his head all around the area where the rat is sometimes even rubbing his face on it, but doesn’t eat it. This usually lasts 10 minutes then he’ll usually find it. Is this normal? What should I do? I am making this post after attempting to feed. I attempted to feed him about 15 minutes ago and he is still searching. I usually put the rat in a bag and put in hot water for s little. Then I hair dry it. I usually feed when it is ~105° F. Any help would be appreciated.


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[Snow Balls]

Does anyone else have this problem? Every time I feed my ball python, he strikes within a couple seconds, wraps around, then once he unwraps he loses the rat. He moves his head all around the area where the rat is sometimes even rubbing his face on it, but doesn’t eat it. This usually lasts 10 minutes then he’ll usually find it. Is this normal? What should I do? I am making this post after attempting to feed. I attempted to feed him about 15 minutes ago and he is still searching. I usually put the rat in a bag and put in hot water for s little. Then I hair dry it. I usually feed when it is ~105° F. Any help would be appreciated.


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Yup I have them do this with live and FT, I have a couple females who will lose it completely because it gets to cold and they never eat it


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[EthanMG]

Does anyone else have this problem? Every time I feed my ball python, he strikes within a couple seconds, wraps around, then once he unwraps he loses the rat. He moves his head all around the area where the rat is sometimes even rubbing his face on it, but doesn’t eat it. This usually lasts 10 minutes then he’ll usually find it. Is this normal? What should I do? I am making this post after attempting to feed. I attempted to feed him about 15 minutes ago and he is still searching. I usually put the rat in a bag and put in hot water for s little. Then I hair dry it. I usually feed when it is ~105° F. Any help would be appreciated.


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Omg. I literally just opened the tank to take it out and right when I grabbed it, he stuck and wrapped around it again. Then, he let go and lost it again . I think my snake is broken


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[Bogertophis]

Omg. I literally just opened the tank to take it out and right when I grabbed it, he stuck and wrapped around it again. Then, he let go and lost it again . I think my snake is broken


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Maybe you need to slit open the rat & put in a tiny hot water bottle? (I'm kidding! They can't digest rubber, so don't do that.)

Feeding BPs can be SO frustrating. They cue in to motion, scent & heat but when heat or motion disappears they're like "Where'd it go???"
How on earth do they survive in the wild, without room service? You have my sympathy...

[EthanMG]

Maybe you need to slit open the rat & put in a tiny hot water bottle? (I'm kidding! They can't digest rubber, so don't do that.)

Feeding BPs can be SO frustrating. They cue in to motion, scent & heat but when heat or motion disappears they're like "Where'd it go???"
How on earth do they survive in the wild, without room service? You have my sympathy...

Haha yeah, so I guess this is normal then. What do you do when it happens tho? How many times do you reheat and try again. How long do you wait before trying to take it out?


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[Bogertophis]

Haha yeah, so I guess this is normal then. What do you do when it happens tho? How many times do you reheat and try again. How long do you wait before trying to take it out?


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One more thing- when you're right there feeding from tongs & they grab it, DO NOT MOVE. That might be the problem- that bit of visual distraction, which in the wild could be a predator coming after them while they're busy with food.

How long you wait- how many times you try- is up to you. Not everyone does the same thing- I don't think I'd reheat more than 3 times, & if they don't take it, personally I'd leave it in the enclosure overnight- it might be they'll take it when lights are out & they aren't being watched. In fact, the last re-heat would be a good time to darken the room & just leave. I hope you don't have a personal life too? (You could also put a dark covering over their home, so they're not aware of you. And no peeking, lol. Seriously, they might see that tiny bit of light & motion-)

[EthanMG]

One more thing- when you're right there feeding from tongs & they grab it, DO NOT MOVE. That might be the problem- that bit of visual distraction, which in the wild could be a predator coming after them while they're busy with food.

How long you wait- how many times you try- is up to you. Not everyone does the same thing- I don't think I'd reheat more than 3 times, & if they don't take it, personally I'd leave it in the enclosure overnight- it might be they'll take it when lights are out & they aren't being watched. In fact, the last re-heat would be a good time to darken the room & just leave. I hope you don't have a personal life too? (You could also put a dark covering over their home, so they're not aware of you. And no peeking, lol. Seriously, they might see that tiny bit of light & motion-)

Okay, thanks so much!


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[EthanMG]

One more thing- when you're right there feeding from tongs & they grab it, DO NOT MOVE. That might be the problem- that bit of visual distraction, which in the wild could be a predator coming after them while they're busy with food.

How long you wait- how many times you try- is up to you. Not everyone does the same thing- I don't think I'd reheat more than 3 times, & if they don't take it, personally I'd leave it in the enclosure overnight- it might be they'll take it when lights are out & they aren't being watched. In fact, the last re-heat would be a good time to darken the room & just leave. I hope you don't have a personal life too? (You could also put a dark covering over their home, so they're not aware of you. And no peeking, lol. Seriously, they might see that tiny bit of light & motion-)

He just ate after 4 attempts lol


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[Bogertophis]

He just ate after 4 attempts lol


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Only 4?

[arpowell]

Glad you got him to eat! It can be so frustrating when they do this (just proves our poor pets wouldn't last long in the wild, I guess). My girl isn't as bad for doing this anymore, but she definitely was when she was smaller. In the future, it might help to fasten a blanket or some other visual barrier around the snake while you're feeding? Doing that seems to help eliminate the risk the snake will see you moving and drop their food. That's what I used to do with my snake, though she's outgrown the need for it by now.