Question about feeding outside of cage.

[Houzi88]

So I'm feeding my BP outside of the cage. But I was wondering how you're supposed to put the snake back in their cages if you're not supposed to pick them up after eating.

I've only fed mine once and what I did was put the F/T mouse on cardboard and had the snake eat it and then when it finished I just picked the cardboard up and put it in the cage.

[BMorrison]

I feed Furio in a different enclosure and when he's done eating give him about a half hour or 45 minutes and then gently pick him up. Try and support all of his body if you can and gently set him back in his tank, I usually let Furio crawl off me instead of just kinda plopping him back in there. After half hour-45 minutes they've usually digested past the point of regurgitation.

Hope this helps!

[Houzi88]

It helps. Thanks a lot.

[playBALL]

I do the same thing. I have never had one strike at me or regurgitate a meal. I agree to make sure you support as much of their body and let them crawl off your hands. Then I dont handle them for about 3 days

[darkbloodwyvern]

you can handle them fine within a few minutes of them eating, just be sure they don't think you are food. if they are jerking their head around and flicking their tongue out, supervise but don't touch yet. wait until they try to leave the container or until you can firmly touch them by the tail/midsection. i just don't grab them by the mouse lump in their belly-can't imagine that would feel very good!


Just don't brush against them like a prey animal would. Use gentle pressure and pick them up slowly but smoothly. they get used to it quickly.

And, if your snake eats well in their cage, you may wish to continue using a cardboard feeding platform without needing a separate feeding enclosure. The only time i ever got bit by a ball was a feeding response in the separate feeding enclosure. All mine that eat in their own cage are handled enough that they know the difference between me and food. unless you wash your hands with rat/mouse scented soap, a calm ball will not bite you just because you are warm. Unless you are starving them or handling them very roughly, etc...