My male had this habbit of taking the smaller mice and rats sideways and will fight with it for about 20 min. then he gets all shaky right when he goes to finish it off. it almost looks as if he has worked him self to the point of musscule(sp?) failure. then he lays with his head sideways for another 5 min. then he is fine. I think he is a major Drama King when it comes to his feedings. Lady on the other hand will try and eat my kitten if I let her. she has this "big snake" complex. she thinks she is bigger than she really is.