feeding in rack or in separate area

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I have been feeding outside of the enclosure. I'm just scared of cage aggression from feeding in the enclosure.

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Try to think from a Pavlovian standpoint, if you are getting the snake out of the cage for both feeding and handling then how is the animal to know the difference until you get to the feeding enclosure? That little window is were your trouble is most likely to occur in my experience. Feeding in the cage means you do not have to move the animal after feeding, and the specimen understands that being picked up is not a time for feeding.

I feed in the enclosure, and am actually adding "trap doors" for my larger constrictors in order to further reinforce a dichotomy between chow time and play time. The trap doors will only be used for distributing prey.

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I have been feeding outside of the enclosure. I'm just scared of cage aggression from feeding in the enclosure.

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If you ONLY open the cage at feeding time, then yeah. They're going to associate opening the cage with food. If you open the cage to handle them regularly, then one out of what, five times they get fed? They're not likely to develop a conditioned response to feed.

Another REEEAALLY often overlooked behavior that's mistaken for cage aggression is what I call the "Nap Time Hair Trigger." Basically, when a python is asleep, it isn't like a human, where we're basically oblivious to our surroundings. Even asleep, a python's brain processes sensory stimuli, because they're opportunistic feeders. If something warm happens to pass in front of a sleeping snake, they're almost certain to strike. If they're a day or so overdue for food, it's even more likely.

If you want to avoid being mistaken for a mouse, make sure the snake is alert and consciously processing information. You can tell, because they don't flicker their tongues unless they're awake and alert.

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Originally Posted by patientz3ro

Another REEEAALLY often overlooked behavior that's mistaken for cage aggression is what I call the "Nap Time Hair Trigger." Basically, when a python is asleep, it isn't like a human, where we're basically oblivious to our surroundings. Even asleep, a python's brain processes sensory stimuli, because they're opportunistic feeders. If something warm happens to pass in front of a sleeping snake, they're almost certain to strike. If they're a day or so overdue for food, it's even more likely.

If you want to avoid being mistaken for a mouse, make sure the snake is alert and consciously processing information. You can tell, because they don't flicker their tongues unless they're awake and alert.

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Exactly. To negate this problem, tap on their hide a bit to stir them awake before you even lift the hide up from them. That way they know what's going on rather than the hide they were in suddenly disappearing into the sky and they are all exposed.

I feed all mine in the rack.


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I house two of my BPs together so feeding them in their enclosure has never been an option for me. I have three in total and I feed them all in separate tubs and never had a problem. Also, since I feed live, I don't feel comfortable in having mice go into the snake's snug cave and biting or chewing on them. Another thing about feeding live is that if you have the mice roam around the terrarium, they will crap on merely everything and I don't feel that very sanitary for my pets.

At the end of the day it's a personal choice whether you feed in the terrarium or in a separate tub, I've been feeding in separate tub for quite a while now and it works for me very well. I bought a couple of semi clear tubs from Target and I just throw my snake in there, then throw the mouse in, and call it a day. That way I can observe the feedings and make sure my babies are safe. If the mice poop in the feeding tub, I just shake it out and that's it. No mess. I know some people here won't agree with me, but there's more than one way to do something. It just all depends on your preference.

enclosure

Feed them in their tub for many of the reasons talked about here but one more reason is time.
Having to move each animal and then waiting while they eat then doing it again, thats fine for one or three,
but once your over ten, wow your talking hours.

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Originally Posted by ViperSRT3g

Exactly. To negate this problem, tap on their hide a bit to stir them awake before you even lift the hide up from them. That way they know what's going on rather than the hide they were in suddenly disappearing into the sky and they are all exposed.

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I have front opening doors, so I'm usually standing right in front of her when I open them. By the time I unlatch the doors, she's already on her way out of the hide to see me. If she's not, I'll just stand there for a moment until she gets the tongue moving.

If you can learn to read and understand their natural behaviors, you'll be amazed at the ways they'll interact with you.

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I feed in their enclosure. It's just more simple for me and less stressful for the snakes. Not to mention most of mine probably wouldn't eat in a separate area anyway. The more picky ones wouldn't be comfortable enough or were too distracted in trying to explore than eat. I'm just speaking for my personal animals, not in general. It just seems so unnecessary to move them.

I don't really handle my snakes regularly other than for cleaning. I'm not much for recreational handling either. I only open the enclosures to feed or check up on them and never have any of my ball pythons displayed some sort of aggression. I have one big female that will come right to the front when I open her enclosure sometimes. She'll be totally in your face expecting food, but she doesn't strike or attack. She's just hungry. When she's not hungry, she doesn't usually do anything but sit on her hot spot.

Topic has been beaten to death. Feeding in the enclosure will probably win long-run in the poll, there might even be an attempt to address and dismiss the concerns of 'cage aggression' resulting from feeding in the enclosure if anyone's feeling up to it. In the end people will have opinions, and yeah. That's pretty much how this question goes.

That said.

Rack. :D