Feed inside or outside of the tank?

Hello. I got a new (he’s three) ball today from someone and she feeds live and outside of the tank. Now I’ve heard many different ideas on which is the right way to feed and my question is do you personally feed inside or outside of the tank and why

I always feed in the tank as once you have taken them out and they smell the food there in full on food mode so when you go to put them back and there still in food mode your more likely to tagged and the stress of moving them with a full belly is not good
They also associate coming out the tank with being fed so when you want to have a hold and sit and chill they just think they going to get food all the time
My boas know when I’m defrosting in the room as they all at the glass ,there’s sense of smell is really good , I only feed frozen thawed anyway


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I usually feed in the enclosure. It's where the snakes are most comfortable and I'm all about minimizing stress on feeding days. As long as you're interacting with them more than just for food offerings, they shouldn't pick up any "bad" habits using either method. Figure out what works best for you and your snake and go with it.

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Originally Posted by Shannytaygans

Hello. I got a new (he’s three) ball today from someone and she feeds live and outside of the tank. Now I’ve heard many different ideas on which is the right way to feed and my question is do you personally feed inside or outside of the tank and why

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Being a new(to you) snake and a new(to the snake) location, I'd recommend at least getting a few meals in him inside the enclosure. Once he's feeding well for you, then you might try the other to see which works better in your situation. Then again, once he's feeding regularly in his new home, if it ain't broke..

Thank you all :)

As others have stated unless you have to move your snake to feed, then don't. BP's can already be finnicky enough as it is, and you don't want to cause it not to eat.

I feed all my snakes in their enclosure cept the two male Rufous Beaked Snakes I have and that's solely because they live together and I don't want to run into any issues. Sometimes I take both out and feed them, or sometimes I'll just take one out and feed the other in the enclosure. It just depends, but IMO that's the only time it's really worth it.

I fed a large boa collection for years out of their enclosures in the early to mid nineties. Trust Me, Don’t. Feed In the Enclosure if at all possible. It does not promote cage aggression. It’s the best way, in my opinion. And with snakes that are already notorious finicky, feeding in the enclosure is your best option.

In the enclosure.

Inside the enclosure. Feeding in a separate feeding tub has been proven to be counter productive over time.

I've always fed inside their enclosures and have never been struck at INSIDE the enclosure.

I've also never had any issues with substrate impaction.

The exception, of course, is if the snake will only eat in a separate tub. Since you've got an established animal, this is possibly the case, but unlikely. I would try feeding in the enclosure. If weeks go by with no success and a bunch of refusals, maybe consider trying the tub. This, of course, is predicated on proper husbandry and the snake being allowed time to acclimate to its new home.