Stupid feeding mistake on my part, and a question

Since I've owned my bp I've always fed him live mice in his cage with no problems. Unfortunately I should have excercised more caution. Yesterday I put the mouse inside and let Dante (my bp) do is his business.

As usual the mouse explored the cage for about a minute before Dante did his thing.

Unfortunately this time around when he struck the mouse he got about 3 pieces of aspen shavings lodged vertically inside his mouth. I took him out of the cage and removed the pieces without any incident. As far as I know he didn't injest any either. When I set him back in he went right back to the mouse and resumed his feeding.

Obviously I need to change my feeding habits after this incident. I just wanted to post this in case anyone else uses aspen substrate.

My question is, for those of you feeding live prey outside of your enclosure, how do you go about doing it?

I know back when I had a moniter, as a rule I would never go near it after it just ate. Usually it would still be in a feeding frenzy and handling it would be a major no no.

My bp is about the calmest snake around, but I was wondering if bp's are snippy after just eating. Thanks for your help.

Hi Tray,

What I did when I used aspen as a substrate, is take them out of there enclosure and put them in a rubbermaid. It doesn't really matter how big it is (I used a 32 quart). Once the lid is on, the mouse can't escape. Just be sure (I'm sure you already do) to watch them both carefully to make sure the mouse doesn't do anything to your bp. Then, when mine are finished eating, I gently pick them up and place them in their enclosure. (They usually find the warm end on their own). I haven't been bit by doing this, yet. They don't seem to be too interested in eating my hand. LOL..

Good luck, and sorry to hear that happened; but everyone learns. :)

I use astro turf..... When I fed in the cage with repti-bak he got some on the prey.... I just picked it off.

I feed mine in his living quarters also and have repti-bark as substrate. Only difference is that I lay news paper on top of the substrate before I introduce his mouse. I remove the news paper soon after he is finished eating and have never had any problem with him being nippy after hid feeding.

We feed in a rubbermaid tub as well. I put Roz in first and then drop the mouse in and it only takes her a few seconds to strike. I wait a min or so before I take her out but she has never even looked like she might bite when I remove her. I notice that she really watches the mice before she strikes them so I think she knows the difference.

I feed mine in their enclosures, but I use aged newspaper for the substrate. So far, I haven't had any problems with this method.

I just use a regular box with newspaper on the bottom...

Yep I switched over to an old large rubbermaid container I had in the closet. Worked like a charm. Thanks for your help. :D