snake strikes and misses

[tekno_beats]

my 2 year old ball python has done this a couple of times where he has obviously been well interested in the food offering and has struck in seconds but has missed and then seems very nervous to strike again and will end up leaving the feed what is the best course of action if this happens
thanking every1 in advance

rhys

cb 06 ball python

[silverstaress]

A couple of mine have done this before, and go off food for a couple fo weeks, I think they get scared of it so just cant be bothered.

I always offer it something different to eat (mice if rats are the staple food, or vice versa) it usually works, as the food is more interesting.

Juli x

[akuma 天]

My big female royal did this last night, struck twice, missed twice and then refused the food after that.

Not sure why, but she's done it before, as have the males, so its not uncommon.

[bluerain]

Are the mice warm enough!!! Sometimes if their not, the snakes cant seem to "see" them with their heat sensors!

[rakpeterson]

Originally Posted by bluerain

Are the mice warm enough!!! Sometimes if their not, the snakes cant seem to "see" them with their heat sensors!

this is what i was going to say, make sure theyre warmed up nicely, but obviously not too much, it may or may not help.

ps. cool name........im also a Rhys!!!

[tekno_beats]

o cool i just leave it a couple o days and try again thanks guys

[James_T]

Mine's done this, I warmed the food item in warm water for a minute, then offered again and she had it coiled before I even knew what was happening. I believe they use those pits on their face to detect heat. I don't know the average body temperature of a rodent in Africa is, but I should imagine it's warmer that the 20C room temps over here.