Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Odd thing happened today while feeding the male. My normal feeding ritual involves removing the snake from it's enclosure, handling for some time, then placing the f/t prey in the enclosure and introducing the snake back. Normally they'll quickly enter the enclosure, then stalk, and eat.

This guy had a different plan. He just couldn't wait and while still clamped on my arm began to dine. Thought it was kinda funny and not wanting to disturb him, bellered for the wife to grab the camera after a few mins of not moving a muscle.

Of course my being so careful for about 5+ mins was a waste. After spotting the paparazzi he ditched his meal and took off.

Happily ever after though, once unwound from the pasty arm of the paparazzi, he quickly retook his meal and retreated to the safe confines beneath his CD shack.

That is strange that he didn't let go of you, he must have been really hungry
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Thank you,

Tim

0.1 wc girlfriend- Melissa (still nippy even after a year and a half of loving care)
0.1 CRB- Tempest
0.1 JCP- Serenity
1.0 Black Cat- Chester A Arthur

Yeah it was kind of cool actually. On one hand I really didn't want to disturb him & just wait it out until he finished, but the other side was quick take a pic!

He ended up finishing his meal in his enclosure though.

It's good that he finished his meal. Very cool pics though
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Thank you,

Tim

0.1 wc girlfriend- Melissa (still nippy even after a year and a half of loving care)
0.1 CRB- Tempest
0.1 JCP- Serenity
1.0 Black Cat- Chester A Arthur

I do see similar responses from time to time.

A few times while feeding one in a tub they got so excited they grabbed the food before I had it in the tub and were draped over the edge. Often constricted on the edge. While prying them off and/or just picking them up, the remaining body will quite often constrict on anything moving...ME! IMO it's a natural response to the fast/famine they would typically go through in the wild. If they came upon a meal they'd grab it, if they felt something else moving they'd constrict that also, two meals in one.

I see them all the time pinning and/or constricting the dead rat with their lower body and not actually biting it, head free to defend/grab another prey item.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
24.36 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

True enough. One of my wee baby Kenyans had one pink wrapped up for safe keeping while it finished off & ate the first one.

I just found it odd that this one would eat while still wrapped on me, in fact while I was actively trying to unwrap him. I expected some strikes at me being in feeding mode after he spit it out, but he calmly let me unwrap him and place him back so he could eat.

Strange creatures we have eh?

Back in the day when I had fewer snakes, i would often handle my snakes during feeding. This is a time when snakes feel vulnerable (spelling??) and I always thought if they could deal with being held while eating, they knew that you were not a threat to them. Those snakes that would allow me to carry them around while they were dining are still baby dog tame. Snakes that have been raised with less handling will sometimes spit out the rat if i disturb them in the swallowing process.

I dont really have a problem with people handling their snakes during feeding, But you are possibly more likely to get bitten.
Good luck.
BHH
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Bryan Hummel
www.rainbowboas.com