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.

[ Hide Replies ]

• To those that say feeding F/T is safe for the snake..... - pythonis, Tue Feb 14 21:46:51 2006
• RE: To those that say feeding F/T is safe for the snake..... - gothlic768, Tue Feb 14 21:50:12 2006
• I use to have a male that did that every once in a while... - JohnLokken, Tue Feb 14 21:54:30 2006
• RE: To those that say feeding F/T is safe for the snake..... - michaelburton, Tue Feb 14 22:01:32 2006
• RE: To those that say feeding F/T is safe for the snake..... - pythonis, Tue Feb 14 22:10:48 2006
• RE: To those that say feeding F/T is safe for the snake..... - michaelburton, Tue Feb 14 22:17:49 2006
• Call me Blonde, But I didn't get the post?..... - DavidKendrick, Tue Feb 14 22:15:49 2006
• RE: Call me Blonde, But I didn't get the post?..... - boidaeaddiction, Tue Feb 14 22:32:10 2006
• I just yank all the teeth out of the rat before feeding them........ - Locolizard, Tue Feb 14 23:48:35 2006
• You should be ashamed of yourself...........more - JohnLokken, Wed Feb 15 00:08:40 2006
• theory NOT disproven - jayf, Tue Feb 14 22:41:39 2006
• why is it... - pythonis, Tue Feb 14 22:57:40 2006
• Not sure whats funnier, the joke or the fact no one got it lol! - Locolizard, Tue Feb 14 23:46:12 2006
• RE: why is it... - michaelburton, Wed Feb 15 04:12:19 2006
• i appologize ... - jayf, Wed Feb 15 10:39:21 2006
• RE: To those that say feeding F/T is safe for the snake..... - widdy, Wed Feb 15 12:20:38 2006
• How about reposting the picture....... - sun_king, Wed Feb 15 16:21:53 2006