My snake killed a mouse, but it won't eat it, wtf??

Question

What is going on here, this is a really weird occurence. My ball python snake killed this white mouse I threw in there and she won't eat it.

She just deconstricts her self and tries to find away to escape from her cage!

Am I the only person this has happened to? What should I do?

Answer 1

I'd bury the mouse outside. She may not be hungry, and since it's already dead it's doubtful she'll eat it.

Answer 2

Most of the time, killing the mouse is a defensive move even if it's not hungry. As the other poster suggested, feeding live is very dangerous. Your ball python is probably being a normal ball that is going off food. It's a problem many have with them and one reason why I think they make less than stellar first time snakes. It's obvious she's not hungry and sounds a bit stressed. I wouldn't offer again for at least a week. In the meantime, you could freeze the mouse to try feeding her that with tongs the next time. Make sure it is very hot, and then dry it thoroughly with a paper towel. You can dangle it and move it as though it's alive. Most will take f/t, but with balls, you can never tell.

Answer 3

I never feed live mice to my ball pythons. I always prekill them and while the nerves are still kicking i throw it in to the tub with the snake. I have had sam coil around the mouse constrict and then leave it. It has happened a few times. I usually triple bag the mouse and freeze it till the trash gets picked up and throw it out then. It was just not hungry. It happens alot in the winter after it is a year old some times.

Answer 4

Snake Kills Mouse

Answer 5

This sort of thing is not uncommon. A snake will sometimes become distracted, and crawl off without eating the mouse.
After feeding the snake, don't hover around to see if it eats- give it some privacy.
The best way to feed is to disturb the snake as little as possible. Allow it to remain in its hidebox, and dangle the frozen/thawed rodent on forceps, at the hidebox entrance, until the snake takes it.
If the snake crawls away without eating, use the forceps again and try to tease the snake again. Eventually, you will learn what the snake responds to.

Answer 6

Although many hobbyists believe it is best to feed a snake live food, the bite of a live rodent, if it is not eaten immediately, or if it is gripped and constricted incorrectly by the snake can injure or kill your snake. It is best to offer only pre-killed prey.
One meal a week should be sufficient. How much this meal will consist of depends upon the size of your snake. An adult corn snake, for instance, should be fed two small mice a week; an adult boa, one larger mouse or rat per week, a Burmese python, one five-pound rabbit every two to three weeks; a garter snake, eight to 12 earthworms per week. If fed too much snakes will become obese. This happens most often when the snake ages.

Like all reptiles, snakes are ectotherms whose body temperature and metabolism depend upon the temperature of their surroundings. Changes in their environment - especially heat and light cycles - will affect their appetites. (Wild-caught individuals may respond to seasonal changes even years after they are caught, hibernating in winter even if the temperature of their enclosure hasn't changed.)

Answer 7

She is not hungry at the moment. She killed the mouse because it moved. She will probably eat it later.

Answer 8

I think your snake killed the poor mouse just for fun..
anyway,when hes hungrey,give him something,U may give too many foods to him.

Answer 9

the cage is probably too small and/or its stressed out

Answer 10

It's happened to me, too. He never ate it, though.