Fussy feeder

[strictcontour]

My Redtail Boa is a beautiful 3yo, 9 Foot plus female.
I have had problems with her not feeding in the past. (Ie, several times of her not feeding for 10 weeks plus). After her last spate of "im not feeding", I noticed something quite strange. She will only feed on female rats or whichever rodent she is offered. With the males she will show an interest, smell, look and then dissapear off to the other side of the enclosure.
I have heard of snakes that will not eat certain colours of prey but never of snakes that will only eat one gender.
Is this problem common, and will she grow out of it. up until now it's cost me loads, having to throw away uneaten prey items.

[strictcontour]

Thanks all, for such an enthusiastic response!

[StevenLeeAugust]

I have never herd of such a thing as gender selection in feeding.
I would be concerned if the situation is a result of ill health and not choice of prey item?
How is the heat, humidity? Etc…?

[python04slayer]

Welcome to the site!
I heard of such thing and had such a thing occour with one of my ball pythons before, and I was wondering what exactely is your question?

[LdyDrgn]

I've heard of it, too, although it isn't common.... usually if it is a preference it is of color.

Please answer the questions Steven put forth regarding the setup of the enclosure.

[strictcontour]

Humidity is currently at 55%. Temperature is at 85F ambient in the hot end and 80F ambient in the cool end. I am in the process of building a new enclosure at the moment as she is just starting to outgrow the one she is in.
My main concern with the gender selection of prey was in case it was indicative of hormonal inbalance or something like.

[LdyDrgn]

You might want to get the warm up a tad... 88 is optimal. You would be amazed what a difference 3 degrees can make!

As far as being picky about prey, some snakes are just funny like that. I can't offer a true scientific/psychological explanation.

[Bry]

I didn't know snakes could be lesbians. One of the older guys here (dunno if he's still here) had a burm that would only take rats and rabbits with their eyes closed. Snakes are weird.

Bry

[strictcontour]

thanks for your help guys. Good site by the way and I like the new set up.