Handling before feed

We are still very new to having a bp...it's been just over 2 weeks now. Monti is 119 grams.

We fed a fuzzy mouse (5 gr.) a week ago and it was successful. We attempted to feed again tonight, (although we bumped her up to a 20 gr. small mouse) and she didn't go for it.

Specifically my question is this: we have been leaving her alone/not handling her so she can settle in, etc. However, we have a separate enclosure for her to feed in. Obviously we have to handle her to move her over there. Is this a problem? Won't it stress her out *right before* we're planning to feed? How long before we feed her should we move her over?

Also, do you feed in total darkness?

Yes it can be, sometimes handling prior to feeding can cause stress which can lead to a refusal.

Pre-scent the room and try feeding in the enclosure.

Pre-scenting and feeding in the enclosure works very well for me.

Personally Furio doesn't mind when I move him to his tub to feed. I thaw the fuzzy for like... 25 minutes and put it under the heat lamp for about 45 seconds and he tags it like there is no tomorrow!

I would also try feeding in the enclosure. No real good reason to move him to feed. Less stress if he eats at home.

We have aspen substrate though...so I guess I'd have to get rid of that to try feeding in the enclosure, right?

You don't have to mess with the bedding at all. It's a rare occurrence for a snake to ingest it's substrate and have any issues with that. They have a digestive tract that can break down bones, fur and teeth - a tiny bit of aspen isn't going to present a lot of issues for them. If, however, you are concerned you can simply lay down a pad of newspaper over the bedding a couple of hours before you offer the snake it's dinner. Try the pre-scenting and feeding in the enclosure. Some snakes get very antsy being removed from their home and that can lead to a refusal.

We feed all our snakes in their own homes on loose bedding (other than the milksnake since her home is very "busy") and have yet to have any sort of problem.

No good reason to move him to a feeding enclosure?? Feeding in a separate enclosure has an awesome incentive... your snakes associate the feeding tub with food. This is pretty much the same thing as "prescenting" in a way. I feed 10/11 snakes in a feeding tub and I also handle on feeding day. Handling on feeding day shouldnt be an issue just use your head... you know theyre hungry.

I have had luck so far by moving to the other "feed tank" with the heat on so there is no real change in temp. After leaving Orion in there for about 3 to 5 min so he can get used to the new enviroment then I will feed. I have had luck thawing for aproxx 1 hr before and the just before I introduce the food into the tank I will use the hottest tap water for a couple of min just befor I snatch it out of the ziplock and break out the long Feeding tweezers and grab by the rear legs. So far not a problem.
5 days apart for feedings but now that I know the pinky mice are poss to small I will try to offer food here in a 3 day period to see if he's still hungry. I do feed when he's normally up so about 8:30 pm ish.. I hope this helps..

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Originally Posted by ravenzwife

We are still very new to having a bp...it's been just over 2 weeks now. Monti is 119 grams.

We fed a fuzzy mouse (5 gr.) a week ago and it was successful. We attempted to feed again tonight, (although we bumped her up to a 20 gr. small mouse) and she didn't go for it.

Specifically my question is this: we have been leaving her alone/not handling her so she can settle in, etc. However, we have a separate enclosure for her to feed in. Obviously we have to handle her to move her over there. Is this a problem? Won't it stress her out *right before* we're planning to feed? How long before we feed her should we move her over?

Also, do you feed in total darkness?

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I have 14 balls and I feed them in their enclosures in the late evening but not in the total dark. I pre-scent the room with thawing and thawed rats. After feeding I turn out the light and leave them to digest! :P