First in-tank feed: substrate question?

I'm heating up his mice now, but Magnus has never been fed in his tank before, I always used to put him in a feeding tub. I understand that can get stressful, plus I now have two adult cats and an inquisitive kitten who wants to know what's going on in the big purple tub :P So I decided it would be safer to feed him in-tank. Now, he's on a cocunut-fiber substrate. If it gets on the mouse, is it still ok for him to ingest? =/ It sounds like a newbie question because it is, for this situation.

Shouldn't cause any issues.

Thanks! ^-^ It's basically been my biggest concern with in-tank. He's never ever been aggressive, even as a tiny thing, so I figured he could handle it, but I'm a paranoid mama.

He seems a LOT more comfortable eating in there.

no problem. it only causes problems when they eat a piece of wood that is too large to naturally pass.

in nature they often end up swallowing a bit of sand or dirt or some leaves or some small pieces of bark or wood. so a bit of substrate wont do any harm. also coconut husk is completely natural and non-toxic.

Ooooh, poor baby just struck a chunk of substrate instead of mousie.... =/ I know he'll be ok, he just looks... confused and displeased with the taste.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Archimedes

Ooooh, poor baby just struck a chunk of substrate instead of mousie.... =/ I know he'll be ok, he just looks... confused and displeased with the taste.

---

He's REALLY reluctant to try again after that faceful of coconut. Concerned mama is concerned.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Archimedes

He's REALLY reluctant to try again after that faceful of coconut. Concerned mama is concerned.

---

Well, just ended up starting over with a fresh, warm mouse. Looks like it's easier for him to do direct tong-feeding in his tank. Strike up rather than down. Haha.
He's successfully eating now. Thanks for the moral support! ^-^

I'll just throw in my 2 cents: I wouldn't feed him in his tank. I also use eco-earth (cocount fiber) as substrate and I'm sure that if he ingested a little he would be fine. But why take the chance? Plus then he could think your hand is food once he starts expecting his food to be dropped into his tank. I don't see how the cats would be a problem if you feed him in a closed room or just supervise the feeding and keep the cats at bay. Overall, you'll probably be fine, but better safe than sorry - I personally will always feed my BP outside of her cage.

Edit: Cool to see you're in PA! Pittsburgh here. Best of luck!

Your snake will be fine whether he ingests a small amount of substrate or a large amount of substrate.

Thirty years (+/-) and God knows how many snakes or thousands of feedings on substrates of all types and never an issue..