The ball that I used to have used to do that sometimes and it would worry me. But he was still able to eat it without issues. My red tail would do that when he was still a hatchling but would at times stop to think about it because he realizes that's not right. But would get frustrated and eat it backwards with no problems. He's 3 years old now and hasn't done it since. So maybe yours will learn soon enough

no problem at all, food doesnt digest differtent if its consumed different.. at least its eating

I'm not questioning your care or anything like that so please dont take it as a insult or anything but are you feeding appropriate sized meals. I had this happen once or twice especially with younger snakes but never repeatedly. A meal will be digested the same but snakes usually take the prey to be ingested head first because it's easier to take in that way. Maybe the prey is small enough the snake isn't experiencing any trouble with either end? If your feeding multiple meals at once maybe it's time to try feeding a single larger meal or give the snake more time before throwing in the second course.  Do you feed F/T?

I think "durante" hit on what could be at least part of it. Looking at your tracking, your cinnamon is 150+ grams. At that weight, a more appropriate size meal would be a weanling to an adult-sized mouse vs 2 fuzzies. With the more significant hair on those sizes it will likely make the difference.

Sorry... (130+ grams)

If you are feeding f/t sometimes its just the way you offer it.  Iv'e had snakes on occassion strike to low and after they've coiled it they are just closer to the butt end and just dig in.  This freaks be out because I heard, way back when I was starting, that with eating a prey item backwards there's a greater risk of a bone perferating the snakes' intestines.  I honestly don't know if that's true, but it does influence how I offer food.  I try to get as much of the body between the tongs as possible and offer it head first, ever so slowly pulling the mouse/rat away from the snakes head.  Once the snake has struck, I wiggle it a little bit to encourage the constricting,  (thinking that the constricting will help flatten/steamline bones for ease of swallowing).  Then, normally, I have to pull my tongs out of the mix :) Even if the snake pulled the prey item out of the tongs, I find the tail and pull a couple of times to get a tighter squeeze.

I have an Albino Carpet Python that will only take small prey items (little p.i.t.a.), and she is one that I have to be extra careful with how I offer.  However, since it is so much smaller than her body, she will still takes it down backwards sometimes.  Since it is so much smaller what she should be capable of, it goes down almost as quickly as head-first - so I don't worry too much. So far, so good.

PS: If anyone can verify or deny the backwards-bone-tummy-spike thing, I would love to know.

PS: If anyone can verify or deny the backwards-bone-tummy-spike thing, I would love to know.

I believe the stomach acid in a snakes stomach are alot stronger then humans so they probably digest quicker unless the have some kind of genetic disfunction or sickness/disease but during the time where prey is being ingested & for a period afterwards I'm sure its a possibility. I'm sure the chances are greater with larger prey that takes a little more streching to get down but snakes especially in the wild sometimes get hungry enough I guess that they bit off more then they can chew. I think in rare situations maybe a bone with break or something during constriction or cant bend in a way to go down smooth but bet it happens a lot more then most would think with larger wild snakes that eat large horned mammals or even snakes that eat spiny fish.

I eat hot dogs backwards.

I usually try to match my feeders with the thickest part of the snakes body. I usually order & pick up my feeders at local shows from the same breeder which saves me the cost of shipping but I heard from a few folks laynelabs had quality feeders.

Yes shipping is kind of outrageous. I think I did use laynelabs last time. Ill check them out again. Or I will have to see if I can make it to the next show to pick some up. And you mean you try and match the head of prey to the thickest part of snake body? Or both body thicknesses?

both body thicknesses

Will do. Thanks!!