first i would have to say that it so more fact than theory. second how does this disprove the theory at all?
is not a dead rat (killed by the snake) the same as a frozen thawed rat? i dont see how the same thing could not have happend had the snake killed and ate a live rat.
i would say this is more of an example of the lack of higher inteligence of the snake brain (distinguishing self from food in a feeding situation).

if you dont care about behavior opinions you can stop reading here.

animal behavior is one of my interests and i often watch the 'natural' behavior of my snakes as much as i can. i have very often watched my snakes (who eat frozen thawed) crawl over the prey item and then in search for a good starting point to consume repeatidly look at a part of their body which had touched the prey item appearing to confuse it with the prey item. this is ususally with younger animals and i have never had an animal accualy bite itself. although i feel there are some aspects of the inteligence of boas that is underestimated, i also feel that they are deffinately not on the top of the reptile rankings for smarts. just thought i would share some observations for anyone who cares.

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