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ball python bite

rangersplash Dec 01, 2005 10:48 PM

A wierd thing,normally my Ball "hunts" before she goes for her prey but this time she went for it the second I put it in her tank and she struck her tail instead of the mouse..any after affects I should watch for or is this something that does sometimes happen...no biggie? Besides acting kinda wierd for about 5-10min after the mouse was dead..moving aroung checking everything out around the tank(it seemed)and finally eating,she's seemed normal otherwise..she did this yesterday,any recomendations/comments?

Replies (6)

BrazGirl Dec 01, 2005 11:02 PM

Both my BRBs and Balls have done this before, sometimes they are a little too quick even for themselves and miss the prey all together. My female once latched onto herself and actually tried constriction before she realized it was her own body. She's also thought my elbow was sufficient and wrapped herself around it after striking.
They aren't perfect animals, so yes, I'm pretty sure it happens on occasion.
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)}{( Love and Serpents )}{(
_Caitlin

crazyreptilelady Dec 02, 2005 06:10 AM

I really wouldn't worry about it. I have a new 05 female hatchling that I have only had for a week. I figured she might now eat yet, but tried feeding after 3 days. She was so excited that she struck when I was still 12 inches away with the mouse (I feed in containers). She actually also struck at her own tail. Let go and struck a few more times in the general direction of the mouse and finally nailed it after 5-6 tries. I do think that she has an eye problem (possibly blind in one eye), but your situation sounds normal. Sometimes they just get too excited at the smell of food!
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Jessica

0.1.0 Sharpei-Husky mix...all attitude
0.0.1 Ball Python
2.2.0 Corn Snakes
1.1.1 Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Blotched Tiger Salamander
...and a saltwater tank!

HerpGirl Dec 02, 2005 07:09 AM

i dont feed my eastern king black mice anymore because the only time i did she bit her tail and then tried to constrict it. lol. so i would agree that its probably not to uncommon
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"it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
1.0.0 bearded dragon
1.1.0 green iguana
0.0.1 columbian tegu(for sale)
0.1.0 knight anole(looking for male)
0.1.0 green anole
0.1.0 asian longtail grass lizard
1.1.0 golden gecko
1.0.0 ball python
0.0.5 oriental firebellied toad
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.0.1 barking treefrog
0.0.1 cuban masked treefrog
0.0.1 gray treefrog
0.1.0 gulf hammock rat snake
0.1.0 eastern kingsnake
0.1.0 siberian husky

Vip3ridae Dec 02, 2005 02:38 PM

These are some really funny stories, but to answer your question, No,no after affects like her tail falling off will happen. This is irrelevant to this story and I'm just posting to post but I like when my BP's yawn, NONE of my other snakes yawn except for some rear fangs that I have but thats to realine their fangs. Now granted Balls look like they have some big teeth I think that bite to your balls tail have to have hurt lol.

rangersplash Dec 02, 2005 09:45 PM

Thanks for all the responses,I was pretty sure this wasn't a problem,but I just wanted to hear it from a few other people I guess.
Thanks again all

ecoguard_79 Dec 09, 2005 02:28 AM

this one is more for a laugh than anything else, my first bp had an issue with a plant at one time, i was feeding a fk rat pup, and he missed, got his fake plant and procedded to constrict the heck out of it, he had it in a crushing grip for a good 20 minutes before he gave up and let go... then again i shouldnt have tried to get it away from him, i think it just triggered a strnger feed response.
i cant seem to find the pic unfortunately, but it is quite humorous. not the brightest snake out there by any standard

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