feeding problem need HELP..

[snake_ghost]

as it says above my royal is now on small weaner rats he's eaten 2 of them without any problem but on his 3 feed on a weaner he didn't eat it struck coiled but didn't swallow so i waited 10 days just fed him once again struck but did not swallow left if in his rub for a hour went to take it out bang he struck again :confused: checked on him 40 odd mins later didn't swallow now he's sort of guarding it :confused: so i went to take it out again but then he sort of went into the "ball" precision and coiled really tight then i heard a bone crack he's never done this before so is this normal behavior if not can you give me any help and info thank you very much for all of your replies :)

[SnakeyJay]

I find if a snakes nervous it helps to cover the viv once they've struck, the darkness gives them a sense of security.. You heard a bone crack on the prey or your snake?

[snake_ghost]

probably the rat because he coiled REALLY hard the room he's in it's in complete darkness

[Aaron_S]

He's mad at his prey in the sense that he's killing it because it's annoying him and he doesn't want anything to do with it.

When this happened to mine I just switched to live for a bit.

[snake_ghost]

right then i ent trying live because it's illegal in England classed as animal cruelty
i was thinking about trying him back on fuzzys

[Aaron_S]

Don't go down. Never go down. I don't understand why people do this. Go up if anything.

Honestly, I'd just wait an additional week or two.

[snake_ghost]

that's my plan i now they can go up to 6 months with out feeding i now its no biggy if he misses 1 or 2 feeds i just worry but thanks for the help:)

[SnakeyJay]

They can go well over six months... As has been said, just wait till the next due feed and try again. Eventually it will eat, but just double check all your temps and humidity just to be safe.

[snake_ghost]

ye everything's all good it was just a bit weird seeing him guarding the rat like a dog with a bone :) anyway thanks for all the help.

[shaunyboy]

right then i ent trying live because it's illegal in England classed as animal cruelty
i was thinking about trying him back on fuzzys

it's NOT illegal to feed live in the UK mate

it is illegal to cause undue suffering...

so on that note...

if a snake would only feed on live,and you refused to feed live...then you would be causing " undue pain and suffering " to the snake...and breaking the law

so live feeding is permitted and 100% legal in the UK,and no one has ever been prosecuted for it

cheers shaun

[shaunyboy]

ye everything's all good it was just a bit weird seeing him guarding the rat like a dog with a bone :) anyway thanks for all the help.

imo he's not hungry,but sees the prey as a threat,so strikes,constricts,then guards its dead prey,so it is no longer a threat

i have carpets that do the same

cheers shaun

[snake_ghost]

right cheers i was told that it was illegal anyway he has always eaten on defrosted rodents

[Lankyrob]

It's only illegal if you are deemed to be taunting the prey item or taking "pleasure from the death of the animal". So those youtube freaks who film everything and torment the rat and ensure it is as gory as possible are breaking the law.

You feeding a live prey item in the comfort of your own home because that is what you feed is totally fine :)

[snake_ghost]

cheers for the help do you guys think he's vasting not sure if thats how you put it anyway when royals stop eating through the winter he's just over 4 months old to young or what any help is always welcome.

[Mark Taylor]

Not sure a 4 month old royal can live 6 months without a feed.

How often do you feed?
Weaner? rat or mouse hope you say mouse

[shaunyboy]

right cheers i was told that it was illegal anyway he has always eaten on defrosted rodents

feeding live is NOT considered to cause undue pain and suffering...

snakes are predators and they have to eat mate

i have NO moral issue with feeding live,but i have safety issues regards the snake being bit by prey

cheers shaun

[snake_ghost]

small weaner rat...why fair point but my mum is not up for it...she doesn't have the stomach to hear and watch a live rodent being eaten no prob with me though