To move or not to move?

[stratus_020202]

Hi,

When your balls make a mess during dinner, do you clean right way? Or just let it set? What do you do with the snake? Just careful handling?

I hate the thought of leaving blood in there. A constant rat smell. They don't want to go to sleep.

Usually, I just try to tear away the dirt part, and put another paper towel over it. BUT, my male Mojo, decided to spill his water bowl the night after he ate. So, I was carefully moving him, and his big belly. It was nerve racking. he's my shy baby, and I didn't want a reguge chance. So, what do you do?

[Vypyrz]

I usually try to avoid handling them for 48 hours after eating. If there is a huge mess then I just spot clean what I can and then do a thorough cleaning after 2 days...


Rob

[stratus_020202]

Yeah, usually they get left alone. But his cage was soaked. Decided, he doesn't need a huge water bowl. Am getting some crocs this weekend. I couldn't let him sit in the water. Although, it wasn't really cold. It is nice to see what other people do.

We all know what happens when you reach into the cage while they are still in eating mode. lol.

[Vypyrz]

Yeah, usually they get left alone. But his cage was soaked. Decided, he doesn't need a huge water bowl. Am getting some crocs this weekend. I couldn't let him sit in the water. Although, it wasn't really cold. It is nice to see what other people do.

We all know what happens when you reach into the cage while they are still in eating mode. lol.

On those occassions when I do have to go in after feeding, I will wait till they go back in a hide then cover the hide with a towel so they will stay in there and I can do what I need to...



Rob

[stratus_020202]

That's a good idea. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

[John Marker]

I just move them and clean up as necessary. Normally I will wait for an hour or so after they have finished their rat, but I have no problems moving them after a meal. They never seem to mind and I have never had a snake regurge.

While this generalization will not apply to all snakes, I do believe that snakes are are hardier than we gernerally give them credit for. Just consider all of the people that feed their snakes in a seperate container, they have to move their snake shortly after feeding.

John

[Vypyrz]

For anyone who feeds in a separate container and is concerned about moving your snake, try placing a piece of cardboard in the container before feeding then you can just lift the cardboard out with the snake on it and place them back in their enclosure...

[branson]

I normally just give her a bit of time (a few hours or even a day) before I clean up. She's never really had much of an issue with this, as long as I pick her up gingerly and don't mess around. That said, my snake isn't the least bit shy or timid from what I can tell (limited experience with bps). I agree with John; these snakes are much hardier than we'd like to believe.

EDIT: If it's just a little bit of blood on the paper towels, I wouldn't even mess with it. If it's a real mess (like the spilled water bowl), clean it up quickly without handling the snake too much.