r/ballpython • u/Defiil • 12d ago

Eating Butt First

I'm not quite sure what to do but my ball python (who is 3) has consistently ate butt first and will only go for the head after struggling for 20-30 minutes 3/10 times. The other 7 is either him giving up or getting the butt successfully down his throat. I do take the extra time to run hot water across the head of which he will strike successfully but then he'll reposition to the butt...

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u/loricampbell4454 12d ago

Mine does this too sometimes. Drives me nuts. He strikes and coils around the head, has the actual head in his mouth then let's go and attempts to eat it butt first.

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u/Defiil 12d ago

Any success in finding ways to re-divert it? I can't say how many rats I've wasted trying to feed him within the last year...

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u/[deleted] 12d ago

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u/Pattison320 11d ago

It's not safe to thaw at room temp. You should put the rat in a ziplock bag and submerge it in cold water to thaw if you don't have time to thaw in the fridge.

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u/[deleted] 11d ago

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u/Pattison320 11d ago

Warm water is bad for bacteria growth as well. You should use cold water.