Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My brothers bp has been trying to swallow a mouse for about two hours and hasn't got it down yet. He tried to eat it tail first and seems to have gotten the legs caught, and now it is not trying to swallow anymore, but seems to be making noises like gasps for air. I clipped the mouses leg off, but the snake isn't even trying to swallow anymore. Thank you, greatly

befpre you freak out take a few breaths. i have had several of my balls take a long time to eat especially when they go tail first. 100% of the time they got it down eventually. was the food item too big or was it the same size as he normally eats. my other thought is that i would hope the snake would spit out the prey before it suffocated or hurt itself. sometimes with bigger prey item i can really hear my snakes breathing out of their glottis. snakes arent dumb he will either keep going and eat or he will give up and spit it out. good luck.

thanks for the quick response. It doesn't seem like he is even trying to swallow, but still trying to suffocate the mouse. The mouse was somewhat larger than usual, but definately not to large to eat. Should I just leave it, or is there something that I can do? Once again thank you.

Just leave it. If he's in the exact same position the next day, you might have a problem.
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Jay A. Martin

My ball took an hour to eat the other day. He got tired of squeezing the pinkie rat and started swalloing it tail first and still alive. It took him awhile, but he got it all down. First time he has ever swallowed tail first, and the first time he swallowed the prey alive.
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Long Beach, CA
0.0.1 Ball Python

I have never personally been in that position but, LEAVE the animal alone he or she will be fine shut the lights off and check it out in a hour or so.

Bryan

www.exoticballpythons.com

Snakes normally eat their prey head first, for several reasons, one being, the fur doesn't get in the way. By going tail first, the hair will ruffle up, making it harder to swallow...Hopefully the snake will either spit it out and take it head first, or eventually swallow it. I would let it be for now as others with more experience with snakes have already suggested.