where to feed ?

hey guys i just found this forum last nite and i am glad i did. i know this site will be very usefull to me. well its late and gettin tired but anyways i couldnt find what i was looking for. i just bought a bp and so many people are telling me to feed in its tank and some people say feed her out of her tank .. im a bit confused .. please help

First off Welcome to the sight. Second what are you using as substrate??

It really depends on the substrate your using, if your using bark or mulch, I would defently feed outside the cage our atleast put newspaper down over the substrate. Things like aspen shavings should pass right threw. It is also possible for the snake to associate you opening the cage with feeding time(if you feed in the cage) and thatwould make a bite more likely. I have 1 snake that is like that if I feed him in his cage but since I stopped feeding him in the cage, he is alot better. Its really more of a personal preference then anything :)

Quote:

---

It is also possible for the snake to associate you opening the cage with feeding time(if you feed in the cage) and thatwould make a bite more likely.

---

Actually, this is not true. As long as you have a routine feeding day and keep routines, they will not mistake you for food. Plus, you'll be going into their enclosure to clean and for handling, so they will not associate that every time you go in that food is coming.

I feed all of mine in their enclosures, I've fed on newspaper and on aspen.

Handling a snake after feeding can really stress it out, which would mean it is more likely to regurge. I would say in it's tank.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

I feed all of mine in their enclosures, I've fed on newspaper and on aspen.

---

I have my snake (Fluffy) in a tub with aspen. I have always been hesitant to put his thawed mouse on the aspen. I usually put it on a small square sheet of tin foil.

Do you put your f/t mice directly on the aspen?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AkivaSmith

I have my snake (Fluffy) in a tub with aspen. I have always been hesitant to put his thawed mouse on the aspen. I usually put it on a small square sheet of tin foil.

Do you put your f/t mice directly on the aspen?

---

I feed live, but invariably one will "dunk" their prey in water while killing it, and it will get aspen on it, and then some aspen ingested. I haven't had any issues with them breaking down the aspen along with the bones, teeth and fur of their prey.

It's a matter of personal preference.

I have fed many snakes for many years in the cage and have never had an issue with one mistaking my hand for food.

Recently, our vet told us that he had his first case of impaction due to aspen substrate. The snake in question was extremely young, however.

Since then I have fed my young snakes in separate containers sans substrate. I let them relax about 45 minutes after eating and then quickly put them back into their cages. I have not had a regurgitation or any other problems associated with this method.

I have always fed my little buddy in the tank. It seems he is adjusted to his feeding schedule. If I feed him early he is always a little hesitant to eat and is not very aggressive. On feeding day he is always watching me move around in my room. On that day he is very aggressive when feeding. I usually only handle him at night to. So he knows at night when his top is opening that he is not gonna get fed. Haven't got bit yet.

Also as for the eating substrate...

One time I was feeding and somehow a piece of Repti-bark was in his mouth with the rat. He swallowed the rat but the bark was still in his mouth. He was tryin to swallow the bark like other food. I couldn't reach to where he was and I just sat helpless and watched him eat it. I was worried, but for no reason. If he can digest bone, I doubt bark is a problem. He has since pooped several times. No troubles.

i have always fed all my snakes in their enclosures. even tho i am relatively new to balls, i have done this with boas, emmies, burms, and GTPs as well. i have not noticed an automatic feeding response whenever i put my hand in and my opinion is that until i start to smell like a feeder item, then i am probably pretty safe. that being said, i also no longer use any wood type stuff for substrate either. not so much an impaction problem but i have had to pull splinters out of angry mouths on more than one occasion and had a red-tail boa get mouthrot due to a piece of bedding lodged in his gum towards the back of his mouth and out of sight. my .02 for what its worth. :2cent: