Where to Feed

[gwench]

The pet shop I got the snake from indicated that I should feed the snake in a separate enclosure than his cage to avoid having him strike at us in the future. What type of enclosure should I use for feeding????

[JLC]

That's a myth. Feeding them within their own enclosure won't cause them to associate your hand with feeding, nor cause them to bite because of that. Feeding in a separate container does work for some people because their snakes are used to it, but with a new BP, I would highly recommend just feeding it within its own home. That way, the territory is familiar, their hides are right there ready to retreat to if they feel the need, and when they are done eating, there will be no need for you to disturb them at all.

[4Khan]

prepare the get many mixed messages about this.

some say feeding in the same enclosure as the snake resides in is ok some stay away from it since they dont want to be mistaken for a meal.

We feed our baby bp in a 10 gallon tank. He has plenty of room to move around still and our big girl gets fed there too. We feed in seperate containers and clean their cages on the same day so we avoid moving our snakes from enclouser to enclouser thoughout the week. We've only had our male since march and our female we've had for only about a month so they are still getting into routine and gettting used to their new homes and us. We are afraid of stricking and our aggression level in our young male is nippy and well I hate taking chances.

I've known people who feed in steralite tubs, there own bath tub, tanks, in there snakes enclouser etc. whichever you feel most comfortable with Is what you should go for. No matter what anyone posts your going to be feeding the snake and you'll know exactly what is best once you start continues feeds and once you learn your snakes attitude.

[JamesMX39]

I feed in the same enclosure, just so that once the meal is completed I don't need to handle them at all. I try to leave them completely undisturbed for at least a day or two after they eat.

[gwench]

If I choose a steralite tub - do I need to have the cover on (poke holes in it)? Should I put some substrate in the tub or just leave it as is?

[elevatethis]

Just the tub will be fine, no substrate needed.

But seriously though, feeding in the enclosure is the easiest thing to do. The snake is comfortable on familiar turf and you don't risk getting nailed by a snake that's now in feeding mode when you return it to its enclosure. Your snake will not associate your hand with a prey item if you do this.

[erinisnice]

I feed in a seperate tub, because for me it's easier and cleaner. There's no rat/mouse poop all over her tank, and if something went wrong it would be easier to deal with. But I'm using a huge 75 gallon tank, so it's different than someone using, for example, a tub or 20L.