Feeding live rats (somewhat gruesome story beware plz)

[Wh00h0069]

From what was described, it sounds to me like an over fed ball python that wasn't hungry and given too big of a prey item ... The bite and constriction was defensive and not a feeding response ... you're very lucky ... but of course, I wasn't there so I couldn't be certain ... I'm just speculating based on my experience.

Hope this helps.

-adam

I agree, sounds like a defensive strike to me. I have actually never had one of my ball pythons coil a rat without killing it, but I have seen them strike at, and injure a rat that they are not interested in eating, but do not want the rat near them either.

I suggest waiting until the snake is hungry and try again. Do not leave the rat in the enclosure for longer then 45 min or so, because it will just stress her out anyways.

Hope this helps.

[spokism]

I'm sorry you think those were my tactics...but they weren't. I simply brought forth valid observation from my own experience. At the same time I acknowledged that this could and may have been a singular instance in a particular snake caused by other husbandry issues. I didn't edit anything... and my account is is no way biased. "See now what you did?" Pointing the finger...Come on now...

no, i was defending you lol. i was saying dr. del was doing that

[anendeloflorien]

From what was described, it sounds to me like an over fed ball python that wasn't hungry and given too big of a prey item ... The bite and constriction was defensive and not a feeding response ... you're very lucky ... but of course, I wasn't there so I couldn't be certain ... I'm just speculating based on my experience.

Hope this helps.

-adam

Hey Adam thanks for weighing in! I really don't believe she is an overfed snake, as I said I have only had her for about a month now and she has not fed yet. I do appreciate the expert feedback! I'll try some smaller prey items next time I feed though, the rat wasn't very big but it may have just been too much since she hasn't fed in a while IDK.

Look I'm here to learn, I know I'm one of the younger people on here (I'm only 24) and that I do not have as much experience with these animals as the vast majority of you guys (I've only had BPs for about a year). That being said I've spent countless hours researching and learning absolutely everything I can about the creatures I keep, including my rats!

I think the snake may just be stressed by a new environment, new sights sounds etc.... so what would be the best way to get her back on feed? Should I wait a few weeks, just leave her be, and then try live again? She's surely hungry already so I don't want to create an even more stressed snake. This is a new situation for me so I would love to hear the techniques you guys use with snakes like this.

[anendeloflorien]

To the O.P,

It sounds more like your snake was not really in feeding mode or was not prepared to ambush it.


How long did you pre-scent for and what was the snakes behaviour just before you introduced the rat?

See here's where I think part of the issue may lay. I can't really pre-scent in my room because my rats are in the same room! All of my animals are in my bedroom because we do not have anywhere else to put them right now. Is there a way to pre-scent if the "scent" is already present in the area?
Right before I put the rat in the tub she was looking around, sniffing the air and acting just like any of my other snakes before feeding time. I didn't see anything in her behavior to make me think that she was not ready. She zoned in on the rat immediately and went into striking position and when he started moving towards her she struck and partially constricted.

I feed exclusively F/T but even then I have noticed I get a much better success rate in feedings if the snake is ready and expecting the prey before I offer it.

I would try again in a week but this time try and use a smaller prey item and extend the pre scenting time and , if the snake shows no reaction or hunting behaviour simply keep the rat till the next feeding day.

This also has the advantage you know the prey animal has had a week of good nutrition etc.


dr del

Thanks Dr. Del For a 1600g snake do you think that giving her a live rat pup would be acceptable? It would get a meal in her and I wouldn't have to worry as much about her getting bitten.

[Adam_Wysocki]

This is a new situation for me so I would love to hear the techniques you guys use with snakes like this.

Patience. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's the reality of the situation ... sooner or later, she'll eat.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[anendeloflorien]

Patience. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's the reality of the situation ... sooner or later, she'll eat.

Hope this helps.

-adam

Absolutely! I just want to do whats right for my animals.

Do you think that I should try feeding again next week or give her some more time to just relax? Thanks Adam! It's great to hear the voice of experience

BTW I'm proud to share that name with you lol

[Adam_Wysocki]

Absolutely! I just want to do whats right for my animals.

Do you think that I should try feeding again next week or give her some more time to just relax? Thanks Adam! It's great to hear the voice of experience

BTW I'm proud to share that name with you lol

I would give her a two week rest before offering food again ... keep an eye on her and make sure she's active at night before even thinking about feeding ... then offer a smaller sized prey item at dusk (for a 1500 ish gram girl with a feeding problem, I would try either a big chub or a very small weaner).

Also, sometimes mice do a really good job of getting a ball python back into a regular feeding routine ... At the end of breeding season, many of my adult males need a mouse or two before they'll even think about taking a rat again.

Don't stress and don't worry about doing right by your snake ... you're here, you're asking questions, and you're listening to all of the great advice that everyone is sharing ... you're doing great!

If you're still worried about it after a month or so, let me know and I'd be happy to help however I can.

-adam

[SoCaliSon]

Educating people would be to list the pros and cons of both feeding methods, educating them about the different options, and in the end leave it to each owner to decide which one is best for them. What happen here is that you are making judgment on people who choose to feed F/T just like pro F/T people try to pass judgments on people who feed live, and in both case it is WRONG.

Learn to respect each owner’s choice to feed what works for their animals and is convenient for them while educating them about the different options available to them.

Note 1: I would have step in the same way if someone was opposed to live feeding.

Note 2: I feed live because it works and it is convenient for me

Hi Deborah...

I did not say that I am trying to educate anyone... I said was I was trying to have an educated discussion, in which I may have the opportunity to learn something as well. I am not trying to disrespect anyones methods, and they will feed how they like regardless of what I say. I am not trying to pass judgement on anyone, I have not pointed any fingers, and I will not say that a person should follow what I say or they are a monster. Me saying that I do not agree with Feeding FT, and stating my reasoning, is in no way passing judgment on people who do. Discussions like this are the fuel that advances the hobby, and all I am doing is sharing my side of the coin. People will make their own decisions with their animals, and I don't have to agree with it... I won't treat them any better or worse based on their decision... But I will always reserve the right to step up and say "I don't agree with that method and this is why."


Spokism...

Sorry about the confusion.. I misread your comment... Thanks.

[dr del]

Hi,

ummm, yes they do, and so do many wild rodents. they carry the fleas that carry the plague. But remember the plague was only detrimental because they did not have the technology to fight the sickness. It is no harder to cure now than a common cold.

I cannot find anything that states it is endemic in new york.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/b/bubo...gue/causes.htm

Simply having fleas is not an indicator really. Can you give me any research or links that mention it being present?

I can't decide whether the last line is a joke or not bearing in mind there is no cure whatsoever for the common cold?


dr del

[Peter Williams]

Cats are one of a group of animals that are known to hunt and kill for fun or enjoyment. This predatory behavior is the very reason man domesticated the cat, as live in exterminators. After centuries of this domestication we have created a prolifically breeding killer, that everyone thinks is addorable. The common house cat kills more animals in a predatory manner in the US than any other animal yearly. It is not hard to believe considering how populated they are, and that this is the very reason they were domesticated. When they leave it on the doorstep they are trying to impress you.

My cats eat whiskas, but they also are allowed to go outside, where they do exercise their predatory behaviors. They have brought home some pretty interesting stuff. I haven't(or wouldn't) consider living anywhere that wouldn't let me have my cats outdoors. (Note both my cats are fixed, otherwise it would be a different story).

Having said that... I don't think my cats are a very fair comparison here, being mammals, and pack animals, that have evolved to cohabitate with humans over centuries. I wouldn't feed Whiskas to a captive bobcat or tiger. But a house cat is a different story, because at this point if we let them hunt as predators for their means of survival they would cause an incredible amount of damage to wildlife(more than they do already).

And respectfully...This "owned" bull crap is freaking stupid... I am not trying to show anyone up...Or compete for anything... I am trying to have an educated discussion with a forum of people, not just to state my thoughts, but learn from others as well. Save your little comments for video games.

Un-owned. That was very well said, I apologize for my previous comment.