where to feed at?

I will soon be getting a ball python but I have a few questions on feeding. The care sheet here says to feed in the cage but I thouhgt you should feed out of the cage. So where should I feed at? Also the sanke I would get will probablly be around 18-20 inches, should I feed a pinky or a small mouse like a fuzzy?

thanks
steve

If you use the search feature, you will find a ton of threads on where to feed. Most would suggest you feed in the enclosure. As far as prey size, you want to select a rodent that is as thick around as the snakes thickest part. Ball Pythons can eat Rat Pinkies as hatchlings so a pinky is too small. Good luck!

small mouse, i feed in the tub. no problems. others feed out of the cage too. i find it less stressful to feed in their own enviroment.


vaughn

In Kevin's (NERD) book "the complete ball python" he makes a point to say that it really doesn't matter whether you feed in the cage or out. If someone is trying to make an arguement that feeding in the cage conditions them to think they are getting fed every time you go into the cage to do normal maintenence, one could make an equally convincing arguement that the snake would expect food every time it was removed from the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

In Kevin's (NERD) book "the complete ball python" he makes a point to say that it really doesn't matter whether you feed in the cage or out. If someone is trying to make an arguement that feeding in the cage conditions them to think they are getting fed every time you go into the cage to do normal maintenence, one could make an equally convincing arguement that the snake would expect food every time it was removed from the enclosure.

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good point!https://ball-pythons.net/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

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good point!

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I second that!

Finally the voice of reason :)

Great book...I highly recommend it. =)

I think the times you have to worry about where you feed, is when you have a non eater. I know with my first one, feeding was iffy in the feed box. I switched to feeding in the cage, and I notice a much stronger feeding response. Although if you still get a strong response, while feeding in a separate enclosure, then you're fine. It's just when you don't that you need to reconsider your feeding routine. :rolleyes: Find what works for you and your snakes, and go with that. ;)