Reptile & Amphibian Forums

flicks his tail after he eats? As far as I know it's only after I feed him, he will lay under his basking light and flick the tip of his tail around...I don't understand it. He always fully kills the rat I give him....I don't know. Any info would be helpful.
-----
1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Bolivian Boa - Cyn
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
1.0 Dog - Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

Boas flick or twitch their tails either as an instinctive way to attract prey or because they feel threatened and they want to distract the attention of a predator from their head and other vital areas.

If he's doing it right after eating it seems likely that no. 2 is the reason. It may have nothing to do with him feeling really threatened, but they are most vulnerable when eating and these traits are hard-wired.

And .. if you are feeding live rats.. cut that out..

Gus

.
-----
1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Bolivian Boa - Cyn
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
1.0 Dog - Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

obviously this is the EXTREME of what can happen (done by a mouse by the way, not even a rat), but accidents do happen and snakes have lost their tongue, eyes, received awful bites through their spine, etc...
not to mention that by feeding live, you're exposing your snake to numerous parasites that could be eliminated by freezing the prey item first.

all around, it's just the better choice. plus, it's CHEAPER! buy your animals in bulk, already frozen and have them shipped to you. AND it's more convenient. i honestly can't think of a GOOD reason anyone SHOULD feed live.
jb
-----
Jonathan Brady
"Sarcasm is angers ugly cousin" -Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) in "Anger Management".

If one would be foolish enough to leave a mouse/rat in with a snake unsupervised then I believe the picture you posted would be completly justified and fitting. I breed my own rats under the best conditions, these rats live like kings because I want nothing to go wrong, the litter is changed twice a day, water replaced daily, and are given the best food I can find. When I feed my snakes live my hand doesn't leave the cage until the rat is dead and yes I have had to pull a rat back once during feeding, not because it was biting, because I was nervous he might. Even when the snake is "squeezing" the rat I lift up the rats tail to get the back feet off the snake so he can't scratch and kick. I take every precaution I can think of. Under my circumstances I don't see a problem feeding live and I will continue to do so, even though it is mainly taboo among others.
-----
1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Bolivian Boa - Cyn
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
1.0 Dog - Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

.. did we at least answer your original question about boa behaviours?

Best of luck with your projects.

Gus

.
-----
1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Bolivian Boa - Cyn
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
1.0 Dog - Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

can stop a rat from biting or scratching a snakes eye out if they aren't struck squarely in the business end. This is the senerio that stop me from feeding live, watching a rats bite my adult Suriname redtail above the eye socket is all it took me to stop feeding live. I do the same as you, raising my own feeders so that they are fresh and so I know what is going into them. But I always prekill them, as I toss them in the cage. That way the snake constricts them in a natural way and gets the same excerise they would from killing the rat themselves. Sorry friend,their is no reason to feed live.
Gus is right on the tail thing. I have boas that will do it before they feed and boas that do it after they feed. Kind of funny really. Definately hardwired into that beautiful boa brain.
Later-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula
2100 Stephens #116
Missoula, Montana 59801
406 541 9929

All I really wanted to know is about the tail flickering, which you guys have helped me on and answered my question. I appreciate it. I didn't really think I was going to make an issue about the feeding live, f/t, etc. For that I apologize. I do understand everyones concerns and inputs on feeding opinions, and I respect everyones comments and actions. I failed to mention that I have tried other feeding options with my snakes, f/t, freshly killed, and none of them would give the dead rat a second look. I know if they are hungry enough they will eventually take it, but live is so much easier for me. It's kind of like the questions...."what kind of substrate is best for my snake?" "what is the best boa/python/etc. to get?" "What is the best way to feed my snake?" To me these are all questions where personal preference is best for the individual. Thanks again for all the input you guys have provided.
-----
1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Bolivian Boa - Cyn
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
1.0 Dog - Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

People need to make their own mistakes before they can understand the advice given to them.
Matt