[Feeding-General] Very calm eating...

[popstop785]

The last two times I have fed my Alice, she literally has taken the food with a slow bite and without even attempting to constrict it.
1st time, is was just a few days prior to her shedding (which was superb) so I can understand that she was not too hungry.
But last night, I went to feed her again and I took the large mouse and dangled it in front of her and she hesitated and didn't seem interested. Then she slowly opened her mouth and started to engulf the mouse while I was still hanging onto it. So I let go and let her finish on her own. Which she did with no problems.

Normally I put her in her feeding tank and she almost instantly gets aggressive and ready to eat. But the last two times, that has not been the case. She is just about big enough to eat a baby rat, but not quite.

Is this just random behavior and nothing to worry about? Or does it mean something that I should be concerned about? As she gets older she's getting very docile and is handled just about everyday (aside from after eating and prior to shedding).

So... Worry? Not worry?

[chaosboa]

Re: Very calm eating...

Right now I would say you have nothing to worry. You stated as she is getting older she is becoming more docile. This is also with feeding. All my larger boas do the same thing. They become used to being fed dead animals and over time realize that the whole constricting thing is a waste of their effort lol. Some will continue to be aggressive eaters their entire life but frommy experience in general this happens. Nothing to worry about. She's eating and other wise is healthy.

[Ace of Snakes]

Re: Very calm eating...

One of my females eats the same way everytime and she is the calmest and nicest snake I own. Think of it this way, they will not try to tear your hands off when placing a mouse or rat in the cage. I wish all my boas ate this way.

[jvarner]

Re: Very calm eating...

It's nothing you should worry about. After snakes get older and get used to feeding on frozen/thawed or fresh killed, there is no need to constrict the prey because it is already dead. They will stop constricting, and the each develop their own styles/habits when its feeding time.

I have a few snakes that are like this. I feel it is some part of their personality as well. That is pretty cool.

[satyra]

Re: Very calm eating...

im pretty thankful that some of mine have decided not to be crazy at feeding time, some of my bigger girls eat the same way you said yours has done these past two times. every once ina while they get a little excited and really hit their food though. i wouldnt worry be glad shes not trying to eat your face LOL

[popstop785]

Re: Very calm eating...

Thanks for all the quick answers! It does make me happy to know it's nothing to worry about.

She's never been one to be overly aggressive while eating either. For my first snake, I think I have she has made things easy for me. The first few times I fed her, it scared the crap out of me! So I would agree, I am lucky and glad she's never wanted to bite my head off! :P

[bterrill]

Re: Very calm eating...

I think it's okay. I have one who is very similar but I think he is just lazy and too big to be bothered lol. I do have one who strikes fast as lightning everytime and still holds it for a good 10-15 even though it's already dead.. not sure why she does this but she does.

First snake huh? Well, all I can say is it starts with one... lmao

[joshua.britto]

Re: Very calm eating...

opposite over here, i have monitors that eat more gingerly than my boas!

[jgonzalez305]

Re: Very calm eating...

i have to agree with every one.....the boa is just used to frozen thawed or fresh killed...that's it

she/he is just being smart about it...

[popstop785]

Re: Very calm eating...

First snake huh? Well, all I can say is it starts with one... lmao

Funny you mention that... I have been looking into other boas. I can't afford another one right now, but I think within the next 5 years I will have another one maybe two more.
But for now, I just spoil the hell out of Alice.

[popstop785]

Re: Very calm eating...

she/he is just being smart about it...

I've always figured her to be smarter then your average boa. She ALWAYS pokes her head out from hiding at night when I watch House. :P

And it was kind of cool to have her eating out of my hand like that. When I say hand, I mean the tongs I use to hang it in front of her face.