Successful Feeding!

Several days ago I posted that my female ball python refused her rat. I feed outside the enclosure (I know that you don't need to but I do anyway). Tonight I placed her inside her tub and offered her a frozen thawed rat. Although she appeared interested she did not strike.

I got a 'lil frustrated and placed her in a larger tub. I offered it again and she took it instantly!! Normally she never refuses a meal so this behavior from her struck me as odd. So it appears the larger tub was my answer. Has this happened to anyone else that feeds outside the enclosure?

I don't feed outside the enclosure so I can't give any feedback, but congratulations on the feeding :gj:

Is it recommended to feed in a separate enclosure? I have heard both sides, no luck in a separate one because he wants to keep trying to find a way out and does not want to eat, fed in his usual space and he took it? Should I try to feeding box again?

and congrats on the successful feed, I am new to this and was so happy when Drake finally ate!

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Originally Posted by siggie_99

Is it recommended to feed in a separate enclosure? I have heard both sides, no luck in a separate one because he wants to keep trying to find a way out and does not want to eat, fed in his usual space and he took it? Should I try to feeding box again?

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A lot of folks on this forum will say that it is okay to feed inside the enclosure as it is a myth for a ball python to associate your hand for food when you are wanting to pick them up. I have done both and I have never been bit. Personally, I feed outside the enclosure because I do not want my ball pythons to ingest a loose substrate such as cypress mulch. I just want them to eat rats and rats only. That is just my personal preference. If you want to feed inside the enclosure then that is okay as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by siggie_99

Is it recommended to feed in a separate enclosure? I have heard both sides, no luck in a separate one because he wants to keep trying to find a way out and does not want to eat, fed in his usual space and he took it? Should I try to feeding box again?

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This may be the biggest argument on this forum lol. Personally I feed in his enclosure and I've never had my hand mistaken for food! Some people like Reptile King do it so their snake doesn't ingest substrate, but I've yet to have a problem. If your snake won't eat in a separate enclosure than feed him in his normal one.