Feeding in the cage vs separate feeding area

I fed Gem for a while in her enclosure, with no problems at all.

One feeding day though, she just wouldn't eat it, showed no interest, almost like she didn't even see it. So, i tried using a tub, and zing, she downed that rat. And since then, i've just been feeding in tubs, Gem and Cyrus, (aka Citrus) don't mind at all.

What works for you, is what works best.

it seems to me like there are more negatives to feeding in a seperate tub then feeding in the cage. when feeding outside the tub there is the stress issue and also the possibility of a shy feeder not wanting to eat. when feeding in the cage I can't think of any really. if anything, I would think the snake would be more comfortable in its own cage.

Sounds like most feed in the snakes enclosure, however my question to them is: what are you using as substrate?

I've heard the stories of impaction in the snake from eating Aspen, or something along those lines. I personally feed in separate feeding tubs for my cornsnakes, however my husband just bought a BP and loves the thrill of the "hunt". It's just natural he says. So, can someone here attest to using Aspen or Cypress Mulch and not having any impaction problems with the snake? What if they do swallow a little bit, will it cause problems later?

I currently use newspaper but have used Cypress and Aspen in the past. While small pieces won't cause problems with a bigger snake, with corns I would put down a piece of newspaper in the enclosure before feeding so he eats over it.

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Originally Posted by cornylover2

I've heard the stories of impaction in the snake from eating Aspen, or something along those lines. I personally feed in separate feeding tubs for my cornsnakes, however my husband just bought a BP and loves the thrill of the "hunt". It's just natural he says. So, can someone here attest to using Aspen or Cypress Mulch and not having any impaction problems with the snake? What if they do swallow a little bit, will it cause problems later?

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I'm on paper now, but I fed a large colony of ball pythons for many years on an aspen type bedding and never had a problem with impaction. I think that there are obviously some bedding size vs. snake size issues to think about, but a snakes stomach acids are strong enough to break down rodent hair, bone, and the cellulose contents of their stomachs ... a couple of small pieces of bedding ingested during feeding aren't going to be a problem.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I'm on paper now, but I fed a large colony of ball pythons for many years on an aspen type bedding and never had a problem with impaction. I think that there are obviously some bedding size vs. snake size issues to think about, but a snakes stomach acids are strong enough to break down rodent hair, bone, and the cellulose contents of their stomachs ... a couple of small pieces of bedding ingested during feeding aren't going to be a problem.

-adam

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My concern was like you mentioned, bedding size vs. snake size being that they are Corns. I have had BPs and Boas ingest bits of Aspen or Cypress with no harm.

I seem to have trouble with corn myself...What? Too much info!? :tricho:

I feed in a seperate tub, mostly because that is what Dax was used to when we got him and we decided that it was a good idea to continue on with what he was used to. He eats very well for us.

I feed in their tub and use newspaper substrate. Hate the newspaper for how it looks but i love how it functions....clean, cheap, and easy.

Jamie!!!! eeewww.......we do not need to know what happens with you and corn....LOL

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Jamie!!!! eeewww.......we do not need to know what happens with you and corn....LOL

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Glad somebody caught that! Just keepin ya on your toes...