Tips & tricks for switching a ball python to out-of-enclosure feeding

Wanting to switch my ~28" to feeding outside his enclosure, as he's starting to react more predatorily when I open his enclosure for handling (pet, I'm not a breeder). I put him into his old tank which has glass around the edges partially obscured, but not entirely.. and had paper towels in the bottom so he doesn't get substrate in his mouth (he's had a couple of unpleasant times when he looked REALLY uncomfortable dealing with substrate in his mouth after eating).

That said, I think he felt entirely too vulnerable to have any interest in the food. Put him in the tank, presented the mouse.. ignored it completely. Moved it around, reheated it.. nothing worked. Ended up just putting him back in the enclosure and plan to try to feed him there in a few mins.

All this said, what can I do to make this transition more successful? I've had these thoughts, but would like to get your feedback:
* Use substrate from his enclosure.
* Put him in there early to allow acclimation.
* Give him a hide in the tank.
* Completely cover the tank's glass.

We don't usually suggest feeding in a different enclosure. Moving a snake while in feeding mode increases your chances of getting bit especially since you were just dealing with its food. Moving them also causes stress which like in your case makes them not eat. Also once you get a some what large collection it becomes very difficult to feed them all in different enclosures. I have 8 and that would be a nightmare. Imagine how some on here would feed with their truly large collections.

As for the substrate. If the prey is dry the amount of substrate ingested should be minimal.

I also would not change what works. If it eats well in its enclosure there is no reason to mess with success.

So, given that it's a pet (and the only one I plan to have) that I like to handle rather frequently.. you don't see long term concerns surrounding him associating his enclosure with food, e.g., my hand?

I would just feed him in his regular enclosure and figure out why he acts like he does when you reach him.

Are you feeding him enough?

I have 8 including a gtp and a almost six foot blood and I have never had a problem. I touch/handle them regularly but not at all on a feeding day. I have never been tagged while feeding.

You just need to move steady and confidently when picking up and handling your snake. It will come to know you and should settle down fine.

Even if you were to get tagged it doesn't hurt and is nothing to be scared of. I have been tagged by my bloods when they were younger and my gtp when he was new to me (pics in profile). Sure they bleed a bit but its honestly not bad. My bulldog gets me much worse when we play.

Sometimes when I open one of my snakes enclosures they'll be in food mode. A gentle tap on the head with the feeding tongs will snap them out of it and then I can pick them up no problem.

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I feed all my snakes in their enclosures and have had 0 food response bites.

Besides it's flawed logic to think that feeding inside the enclosure will increase your chances of getting bitten.

The same can be said for a seperate feeding container. Your snake will associate being taken out with feeding time, so if you take it out just to handle wouldn't it be in feeding mode?

It makes no difference. Snakes don't go in or out of feeding mode. It just knows what food is via smell/heat/sight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Punkymom

Sometimes when I open one of my snakes enclosures they'll be in food mode. A gentle tap on the head with the feeding tongs will snap them out of it and then I can pick them up no problem.

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Try not to use feeding tongs for anything but feeding time.
A small snake hook works as does just opening and waiting a second to let them realise there is no prey present.
To the OP, I know some people with a number of snakes that do feeding tub routines. While I have picked up a lot of useful info from these people this is one item that in practice I stopped entirely. It was just too much of a pain for me and the snakes.

Tips - take snake out, place in thing, feed. Don't be scured when handling.

Feed in his home.
I've feed outside for a few months and theres no gain of it at all.



Miko

Reptiles actually do go into a feeding mode.
Look it up or watch Steve Erwin run his butt off from some Komodo Dragons.

I suspect he may be getting more agressive out of hunger. You said he's ~28 inches, but in a subsequent post that you offered him a mouse. It may be time to either start offering two mice, or try to switch to rats.