Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my male ball python today took three F/t mice and struck them, coiled around them, bit them hard and drained the blood drinking it all (and thankfully leaving the feeding take mostly clean) and then dropped the mice and ignored them compleatly...

any ideas as to what is wrong?

Too many hallucinogens?

grab a bible, suprise him when it's daylight & check his neck for bite marks. soak in a holy water & garlic bath becareful not to be biten for you too shall walk the night in search for blood..lol

I hear that the burm that eats puppies in the pet shop frequently just drinks the puppy blood. Muah, Muahh, Muaaahhhh!

Your snake probably has a good feeding response, but your presence is making it too nervous to go ahead and eat. Feed one prey item, when your snake takes it, turn off the lights, leave the room, or cover the cage. Whatever it takes so the snake won't feel exposed or nervous. It should go ahead and swallow the prey if left alone for an hour or so. Draining blood from a F/T mouse will yield 2 or 3 drops more than squeezing blood from a turnip.
Paul

this was his first time with a F/t mouse. before he only took live, but I am trying to switch him. I was out of live so I tried to feed F/t...when I wiggled it he struck and held, but would not eat it. could he maybe have realized it wasnt live?

Try warming the F/T in water. Some say to put the prey in a baggie but I don't see the need in this. I simply place the rat in hot water. It aids in the thowing process aswell as warms up the prey. This should help substantially when trying to get the animal over the hump when trying to switch from live. Todd

The point in the baggie is that the rodent retains its smell and is easier to recognize as a food item by the snake. Otherwise it may or may not check it to see if it is a food item. What distinguishes a warm unscented pinkie from a warm, freshly washed finger?

>>Try warming the F/T in water. Some say to put the prey in a baggie but I don't see the need in this. I simply place the rat in hot water. It aids in the thowing process aswell as warms up the prey. This should help substantially when trying to get the animal over the hump when trying to switch from live. Todd

I honastly never thought about that. Fortunately all my snakes have always went right after warmed F/T. If I ever have a difficult eater I will remember this point. Thank you, Todd

You're welcome. Just think of it this way, you learned about it the easy way while some of us learned the hard way.

>>I honastly never thought about that. Fortunately all my snakes have always went right after warmed F/T. If I ever have a difficult eater I will remember this point. Thank you, Todd

I fed my little guy a f/t mouse and he took it and "killed" it, but then left it, I reheated it a little and offered it again, the second time it was offered he re-wrapped around it for a little and then proceeded to swallow it... not sure why it happened. Hope this helped.
-Steve

>>any ideas as to what is wrong?

Yes, it is too early in the year. Wait until April 1st, then post this again. Or follow Paul's advice.

-Joan

Only your shrink could know for sure. Seek professional help. Mark Petros