Feeding Technique.

Quick question:

So i was told that when i feed my BP to put him in a seperate cage, or box of some sort, away from where he lives. That way he won't mistake your hand for food, or something to that extent. Does this really make a difference?

Also, i usually move him to feed him in a seperate cage, but the last 2 times while he was or just got done shedding. Should i not keep switching the way i feed him around? or will this not have any effect on him? I would imagine it doesn't matter, when he's hungry, he's hungry he won't care about anything else, but i'm curious about my first question for sure.

anyone?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mighty Monty

Quick question:

So i was told that when i feed my BP to put him in a seperate cage, or box of some sort, away from where he lives. That way he won't mistake your hand for food, or something to that extent. Does this really make a difference?

Also, i usually move him to feed him in a seperate cage, but the last 2 times while he was or just got done shedding. Should i not keep switching the way i feed him around? or will this not have any effect on him? I would imagine it doesn't matter, when he's hungry, he's hungry he won't care about anything else, but i'm curious about my first question for sure.

anyone?

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Actually, it does make a difference but for opposite reasons than you might believe. Moving a Ball (or most snakes for that matter) to a different enclosure and then back again will subject the snake to added stress. The stress may make your snake refuse to eat, or in extreme cases may make him regurge when you move him back after he has eaten.

This myth has been going around forever and makes little sense. Supposedly the snake will associate your hand with food and try to strike you whenever you go near it. The problem with that is that your snake can tell the difference between your hand and a food item by the smell and other factors. Also, your hand will be in the cage a lot more than just when you give it food as you will probably have to go in his cage several times a week to clean the cage, change his water and to handle him. Finally, you shouldn't get your hand close to your snake to begin with if you're feeding correctly. You should either be using tongs or placing a live prey item in the cage rather quickly.

The fact is, Balls are ambush predators and feel most comfortable "hunting" from the security of their hide.

Lawrence said it best.

I feed all of my snakes in the cage. Why stress them out by moving them around? My snakes don't all try to eat me when I handle them either.. just some of them.. lol

Alright cool, thanks for the information, it's just what i needed to know!