Handling before feeding?

I suggested to a friend that of I handled my snake before feeding to warm him up, he'd be more apt to eat, however my friend said no handling before feeding or they'll reject. Thoughts?

1.2 Normal
1.2 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

Warming him up?? I do handle mine before, during and after feeding when needed. Can you? Yes. The smell of rodents in the air puts them in feeding mode.

I have some that probably wouldn't care if I handled them before. I have others that would probably never eat if I handled them before. I have no idea what "warming them up" has to do with anything.

Ultimately, though, I thaw my rats in the snake room on feeding day. For my own fingers's sake, I choose not to handle them with a rat-scented room in the picture.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

I have some that probably wouldn't care if I handled them before. I have others that would probably never eat if I handled them before. I have no idea what "warming them up" has to do with anything.

Ultimately, though, I thaw my rats in the snake room on feeding day. For my own fingers's sake, I choose not to handle them with a rat-scented room in the picture.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Warming him up?? I do handle mine before, during and after feeding when needed. Can you? Yes. The smell of rodents in the air puts them in feeding mode.

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When I say "warming up" I mean getting them active beforehand through handling

I do not for two main reasons

1# Snakes are easily conditioned and when they eat on the same day each week, they know when feeding day is and are ready for it, which mean you are more likely to get tagged. On feeding day there is nothing done aside from feeding.

2# Stress, stressing a BP by handling it prior to feeding can lead to refusal, always best to avoid unnecessary stress.

You seem to have had several questions regarding feeding issues maybe you may want to rethink your routine prior to feeding.

Why though? It isn't needed.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

I have some that probably wouldn't care if I handled them before. I have others that would probably never eat if I handled them before. I have no idea what "warming them up" has to do with anything.

Ultimately, though, I thaw my rats in the snake room on feeding day. For my own fingers's sake, I choose not to handle them with a rat-scented room in the picture.

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Thank you Eric for all those links!!!!!!!!!! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I do not for two main reasons

1# Snakes are easily conditioned and when they eat on the same day each week, they know when feeding day is and are ready for it, which mean you are more likely to get tagged. On feeding day there is nothing done aside from feeding.

2# Stress, stressing a BP by handling it prior to feeding can lead to refusal, always best to avoid unnecessary stress.

You seem to have had several questions regarding feeding issues maybe you may want to rethink your routine prior to feeding.

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We linked the cause of refusal to prey type so I'm working on fixing it :) thanks for your patience with me...still kind of am amateur..

1.2 Normal
1.2 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

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Originally Posted by SCWood

When I say "warming up" I mean getting them active beforehand through handling

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BPs are ambush predators, they don't need to warm up or do calisthenics before striking their prey.

Do what works, animals differ in the way they eat. I have one bp that
Prefers to strike and one that prefers to have it left in the enclosure and not be bothered.

Handling prior to feeding has never even been a consideration and I've never heard of any rule regarding doing this, either pro or con.

After feeding is quite different.