Just remember Lisa when they are swallowing prey they must feel very vulnerable to being prey upon themselves. It's not like they can defend themselves or retreat quickly with a prey item halfway through swallowing so it stands to reason they wouldn't want to eat if anything is happening near them. We had one of our bigger females spit out her rat halfway through swallowing it when we accidentally bumped her tub. We have other snakes that will almost glare at you to go away so they can eat in peace and I know some folks here whose snakes won't eat until they drag their prey back into the hide with them.