Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a ball python and she eats pretty good. she is 600gr i always like to feed her prey thats on the smaller side cause for some reasson she usually doesnt strike and hit the target on the first shot? so today i put in a bigger than usual prey and like i tought she strikes and doesnt hold the prey its like half hearted bites? im worried that the rat will obviously be scared and bite her. so i stunned the prey and she refuses to eat it like that? i even moved the rat around and she strikes but doesnt hold? so damn frustrating. does this happen to some of you?

I had one of my snakes bite the rat but not coil around as well. I then tried another rat and the snake coiled around that one. It looks like your snake was using a defensive response and not a feeding response. I would try another rat and see if you get a better result. Good Luck.

no this idiot snake usually does this in this manner? thats why i am nervous to feeding him a bigger rat. i stick to smaller ones. i love ball pythons but i am starting to get annioyed at how they are so picky at feeding?

Be patient...I am new to Ball Pythons and I have had the same frustrations. With these frustrations, I have learned that some of my guys won't eat everyweek and that is ok. It sounds like to you be offering him food to often, he will think that if he dosn't eat today...that's ok I'll be fed tomorrow. If he in fact is not eating for you wait a week a try again.

Keep Positive!!

Nick

I would try waiting another week before trying to feed. If it eats more aggressively, try waiting a few more days than usual between feedings.

Every time I've had a snake do what you described it was because (1) it wasn't very hungry, OR, (2) intimdated by the size of the prey.

If what you're going through bothers you, wait until it starts killing the prey just to get rid of the nuisance and not eat it. LOL!!! Talk about pulling your hair out.

Have a good one!
Mike
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

As for the rat getting so scared that it bites her, rats almost always cower and don't turn aggressive, or, fend for themselves, unless the snake actually has a hold of it. They still need to be watched closely, though.

Take care!
Mike
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.