Just wondering if anyone else has seen any funny/strange feeding behavior with their Carpets...
Ok...so after a nice relaxing acclimation period, this past Saturday I attempted to feed my new Jungle Carpet Python...I was told she accepts f/t rats, but that day, she wanted absolutely nothing to do the rat pup I offered her...she even seemed afraid of it, puffing and feigning some "tough girl" defensive style strikes, but never actually grabbing at all...I left the rat in with her overnight, to no avail, she inspected it thoroughly, but seemed totally uninterested in eating it. So, I threw out the old rat and figured I'd give her a few days before trying again (with a small adult mouse). She spends her entire night and morning cruising every inch of her cage, climbing her branches, etc. She spends basically the whole day coiled 'sleeping' under her branches or fake plants, but hardly ever in her hide.
Her high activity level, young age (about 1 year), combined with the fact she hadn't eaten in 2 weeks told me that she is hungry, so I went ahead and attempted with a small f/t mouse today...and that's where it got funny...At first, same story as with the rat...she seemed defensive, but never struck...Finally, as I was dangling the mouse above her with the tongs, she reached her little head up, up and all the way till she was touching the mouse's nose...and then opened her mouth as if to say "aaaahhh," but without ever actually grabbing/striking at all. So I gently dropped the snout of the mouse into her mouth, and sure enough, she finally clamped on, pulled the mouse down to the floor, and began eating. It was actually a silly, sappy "aww"-type moment, I've never seen a reptile so gentle with their food
This is the first time I've ever fed a snake (and I've fed plenty) that
refuses to strike at her meals, but instead insists on me gently placing the food in her open mouth... I've had boas that just simply cruise up and start eating without any constriction, but never a snake that HAD to be hand-fed. Is this odd to anyone else, especially with a young python? Oh well, just thought I'd put it out there. I am planning on scenting rats w/mice however, I'm very adamant about my snakes not living off of mice...for now, I'm happy and relieved she's at least taking her food now though, it's always a relief with a new arrival
