I kind of joined the bite club today

I could tell that Atticus wanted a second mouse today because he always does. And as always, I disappointed him. He must have been feeling extra feisty because when I went to transfer him back to his tank, he struck me. He didn't bite down, and there was no pain, no marks, And no blood. It was a halfhearted effort really. So do I get half credit? :)

They sometimes do a 'dry bite' because you smelled of mice while handling him. He put his mouth on you, then tasted that what he was holding didn't taste of what he was smelling, so decided not to clamp down.

And that is why it is best to feed in their tank.

Moving a snake while its still in feed mode greatly increases the odds of getting bit. Cage aggression is a myth. Search the forum and you will see this has been discussed a lot.

I agree with KGM about feeding in the enclosure leading to cage aggression being a myth. I have never fed outside the snakes enclosure in all the years I have been keeping them, and anyone saying it leads to cage aggression is just blowing out their (_i_)

I agree with the others, it's definitely best to feed them in their enclosures. That's where they feel most secure and it reduces the chances of a regurge or getting bit. Moving a snake that's in feed mode is asking to get tagged. My kings are normally very aggressive feeders and once they get into a feeding frenzy they're ready to hit anything that's close and warm. I used to feed in a separate tub too and after a month or so I started listening to some more experienced keepers and I've been feeding in their enclosures for a few years now with no problems. None of my snakes have ever bitten me and none have had any impaction from digested substrate. Those were my two main concerns.

I don't worry about cage aggression. I worry about the mess. Atticus struck and then refused a mouse once, and I initially thought nothing of the blood splatters, but wow! It really got nasty. I have worried ever since about potentially inviting that kind of decay into his enclosure. What strategies do you guys use to minimize mess?

Yes the cage aggression idea is not true. I have ball pythons corn snakes and several boas. I feed all of them in there cages with out any issues. Feeding in the cage is easier safer for you. It's also less stress on your snake.

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Originally Posted by Shamri

I don't worry about cage aggression. I worry about the mess. Atticus struck and then refused a mouse once, and I initially thought nothing of the blood splatters, but wow! It really got nasty. I have worried ever since about potentially inviting that kind of decay into his enclosure. What strategies do you guys use to minimize mess?

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Usually it is a very clean process but the few times Ive had blood come out or the guts pop out I just wait until the snake is done eating and then clean the mess when it retreats to a hide.