First F/T feeding

[waldo]

My ball took his first F/T mouse today I'm glad hes a good feeder but the little odd ball won't eat in his cage, prefers to be in a bare tub. What ever floats his boat.

[jimijaw]

Actually that is good, for a few reasons anyway, 1 the snake wont get in the habit of thinking its feeding time everytime you reach into the tank and also it prevents any substrate from being ingested which could cause impaction. I have 15 snakes at present and yes its a pain to feed them in a seperate enclosures but I lost one snake many years ago due to impaction of substrate so I learned a valuable but expensive lesson. Jimi

[Snake_Eyes]

I've always fed my snakes in the cage. When it's feeding time I lay newspaper overtop of the substrate(aspen)

[bearhart]

Actually that is good, for a few reasons anyway, 1 the snake wont get in the habit of thinking its feeding time everytime you reach into the tank and also it prevents any substrate from being ingested which could cause impaction. I have 15 snakes at present and yes its a pain to feed them in a seperate enclosures but I lost one snake many years ago due to impaction of substrate so I learned a valuable but expensive lesson. Jimi

Holy cow! I didn't think anybody else around here fed in a separate enclosure. I got started on that at the advice of the seller as well as a number of sites and books. Anyway, its partly snake and partly owner personality but I really like it and so does my snake.

Besides the standard reasons I actually think it makes the whole thing easier and safer for the snake.

[jimijaw]

I like it and Ive got 14 snakes so it does take some time but I feel its best. Jimi

[tmlowe5704]

Actually that is good, for a few reasons anyway, 1 the snake wont get in the habit of thinking its feeding time everytime you reach into the tank and also it prevents any substrate from being ingested which could cause impaction. I have 15 snakes at present and yes its a pain to feed them in a seperate enclosures but I lost one snake many years ago due to impaction of substrate so I learned a valuable but expensive lesson. Jimi

Have you ever tested aggression differences personally? I have 18 snakes and each is fed weekly in his or her own tub and I have yet to be bit. I have heard the whole aggression story, but dozens of people here feed in enclosures weekly and have no problems.

BTW, I am not saying you are wrong. I was just wondering if you were basing that on experience or heresay.

[jimijaw]

I never really tested it but I recently picked up a rescue a 6 foot Colombian Boa that was never fed anywhere but in his enclosure but I also have to mention that he was never messed with either except for feeding time, I got him because the owner couldnt handle the aggression my first time picking him up he clamped on to my hand and coiled up and started constricting my arm my hand went blue before the owner of the snake would help get him off of me. Now when I reach in his tank to move him to a feeding tank I wear a heavy jacket and gloves and since he has not tried to strike so Im thinking he is not sensing any heat from my hand or arm to be associated with food. I can handle him as long as Im wearing my jacket and gloves, I will put him in his feeding tank and grab a rat and as Im placing the rat in the tank he immediately hits it as I drop it. I originally thought he that way cause hes never been handled but I can handle him fine as long as Im covered where he doesnt pick up any heat from me. Im going to keep handleing him for another couple weeks before I try to do it with out gloves and see what happens. I have been bitten by many snakes but this was the very worst I have ever experienced. My hand was swollen and bruised for 2 weeks. So in all reality I was basing my opinion on hearsay. It made sense to me when I thought about it but no proof. Jimi

[bearhart]

Yea I wonder if anybody has tested it. Funny thing is alot of people say not to mess with the snake after eating but I always pick mine up as soon as he's got it all the way down (and re-set his jaw) and put him back in his cage. Honestly, he doesn't act any different than at other times. He seems to have no trouble distinguishing between a mouse and anything else because I can clearly see him switch into killing mode as soon as he sees the mouse and then go back to normal right after swallowing it. Of course, if its a big feed he'll go straight to bed once I put him back.

[jimijaw]

Yea I wonder if anybody has tested it. Funny thing is alot of people say not to mess with the snake after eating but I always pick mine up as soon as he's got it all the way down (and re-set his jaw) and put him back in his cage. Honestly, he doesn't act any different than at other times. He seems to have no trouble distinguishing between a mouse and anything else because I can clearly see him switch into killing mode as soon as he sees the mouse and then go back to normal right after swallowing it. Of course, if its a big feed he'll go straight to bed once I put him back.

It would be interesting to know for sure if anyone has tested it. Thanks Jimi

[sweety314]

Bearhart,


Just be careful HOW you handle him. I tried that a time or two with Pi$$y, but no matter how gently I lifted him, he regurged a couple of times. So after that, I just fed him in the tank.

If U think on it, their stomach acid is VERY strong and digest bone and most of the hair. Some bedding isn't going to be a problem, unless really jammed in the teeth, or something strange like that.

When Flurry or Wrigley gets some in their mouth, they just keep brushing up against the tub wall (like a cat) until they get the little twig out.

But everyone has different methods that works for them and their pets. That's just a mode of operation style difference. As long as the husbandry is correct, and the snake is healthy, then it's ALL good.