Ball Python Feeding question.

[~Osiris~]

First of all background. I have not fed this snake in her habitat. She is however 5-6 months old-ish and takes with quick strikes while in a feeding tub every meal. I want to feed her in the habitat, and also do not want her mistaking my hand for food.

1.Do you feed your snakes in their habitat.
2.Is there a certain way to do this, as I don't want my hands mistaken and bit for lowering in mice,etc.

Thanks!!

[satomi325]

First of all background. I have not fed this snake in her habitat. She is however 5-6 months old-ish and takes with quick strikes while in a feeding tub every meal. I want to feed her in the habitat, and also do not want her mistaking my hand for food.

1.Do you feed your snakes in their habitat.
2.Is there a certain way to do this, as I don't want my hands mistaken and bit for lowering in mice,etc.

Thanks!!

I feed my snakes in their enclosures. I have not been bitten yet.

As long as your hand doesn't smell like a mouse, you should be fine.
Just move slowly without any quick movements. Sometimes quick movements startle snakes to defensive strike.
Also, sometimes feeding responses are strong. So if you're uncomfortable with the snake coming at you, you can use a blunt object such as a paper towel roll or rolled up newspaper to block or redirect their heads.
Some of my aggressive feeders don't realize it's me right away and pose to strike. But once they realize there is no food, they back off.

[TheSnakeGuy]

I did the separate tub thing for my first few feeds with my babies. Eventually I started feeding in the enclosures. I have 2 terrariums with cypress mulch and one tub with paper towels. I haven't had a problem feeding yet. Only once did one of my little girls get a piece of substrate stuck in her mouth. After a half hour or so she either swallowed it or got it out with no after effects. They're still puppy dog tame when I reach in. On feeding day I set my thawed mice on paper towels under the heat lamps on each terrarium to get 'em hungry. Works like a charm. In less than 2 minutes they're out and looking for food. A little zombie dance and it's game over. No mess, no stress.

[eatgoodfood]

I feed all my snakes in their enclosures. Never been bit from a feeding response. Sometimes they will shoot out of their tubs, trying to strike the rat before it even gets in. I dont do anything special, open tub, drop in food, close tub and move to the next. Usually hear the thud from the strike, if not I give them some time, and remove the food.

[KMG]

I feed all mine in their cage.

I heat my feeders in hot water and use tongs to place the feeders in the cage. I dangle the feeder by the tail until I get a strike and sometimes give it some tugs and wiggles to make them think they have a live one to get a stronger response.

I have never been struck during feeding but the tongs make sure that I won't. I also believe is presents the feeders in a better way by leaving the big human arm out of the cages.

[carlson]

I have a ball and a carpet they both get fed in their cage. As of right now they are both on live, carpet didn't want anything dead and the ball doesn't like dead rats either only live. I haven't had any problems feeding in their cages my ball is on the reptile dirt stuff cuz he's just gonna be the living room snake since normal males aren't much for breeding so he'll live his life in a fancy tank haha and the carpet has some rat bedding in there on top of newspaper (not greatest substrate but I ran outta paper ha). But I agree with what was said about tongs with f/t I like tongs keeps the hand safe enough away no mistake arise. Good luck

[DooLittle]

Yes, mine all eat in their tubs. Nobody thinks I'm food. I feed mostly live, so I open tub, put rat in, close tub.

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[cmack91]

You'll be fine feeding in the cage. The only precaution I take is making sure the prey item is warmer than my hand. They identify by smell but target by the heat signature. Once their feeding response is activated, they'll strike at whatever is the hottest. Sometimes I actually have to poke them in the face with the rat in order to stop them from going for my hand.

[~Osiris~]

You'll be fine feeding in the cage. The only precaution I take is making sure the prey item is warmer than my hand. They identify by smell but target by the heat signature. Once their feeding response is activated, they'll strike at whatever is the hottest. Sometimes I actually have to poke them in the face with the rat in order to stop them from going for my hand.

Thank you all for your help!!

I am definitely switching to cage feeding, and going to try live prey. She is about 150 grams and I think if I de-fang the small rodent I should have a happy lil' active and plump breeder ufo python!!

Thanks in advance for all of the friendly forum answers in advance too my next question.


Do any of you have advice on when to know when not to handle the snake? I dont want to stress her and I out while we bond, but need to know signs of aggressive behavior. Defensive behaviors, etc.

[barbie.dragon]

Defang the rodent?