Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My snakes are on a hunger strike. It's been about 2 months now. I thought I'd try live rat pups with my ball pythons to see if that would get them interested to eat. We just had 2 litters so I thought I'd give it a try. Chewy ate the first one no problem. Chico is still running away. Moses is to big for rat pups. I put a second one in the cage. Not only did Chewy not strike, he didn't constrict either. He simply sniffed for a few seconds, the started eating. The poor little dude was squealing from inside. I HAVE NEVER EVER SEEN THAT BEFORE, HAVE YOU!?!?!?!?! He ate it with no problems so I put another one in and he started the same thing. He got it about half way in and the little guy managed to crawl back out! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't want that to happen again but they're just not eating F/T. Talk about frustrating. Any suggestions.
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DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

I've had corn snakes that ate mice with out killing them first, and I could hear the mice squelling from inside. Only baby snakes eating pinkies though.
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My blood is workin', but my, my heart is...DEAD!

i have had corns do it alot....you might try feeding somthing bigger

My burm did this a few times when he was a couple of months old when he was given rat pinkies. I thought it was really odd but it seems they know when the prey is not a threat and they dont need to constrict it. I think they know that if its a large rat, they wouldnt get away with just trying to swallow it alive.