In or Out?

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Originally Posted by bearhart

I've been most adament about the issue of whether or not the decision has any ramifications - not whether or not it was right or wrong.

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And I'm just saying that to insist that there ARE ramifications is a bit of a stretch based on a solitary, limited experience...when 99.9% of other experience out there says otherwise.

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So, I can only conclude that it must be that my BP is fairly unique and that its better to say "it CAN have an effect" rather than "it DOES have an effect".

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That's pretty much been my point from the beginning. It MIGHT have an effect...in rare instances and under unique circumstances, based on your personal experience.

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I think you're being kind of hard on me, really. Alot of the people that feed in-cage posted in this very thread that they take special care when dealing with the snake on feeding day because it is expecting a meal to be placed in the cage. Are you saying that you think these snakes would act the exact same way if they were fed out of cage? (Once again, please keep in mind that I'm not debating the pros and cons of either method. I'm most interested in establishing what those pros and cons might actually be).

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I don't think I'm being "hard" on you. It's just that if you take a very strong stance on the potential ramifications of feeding inside the enclosure, based on a singular event...when compared to the vast experience that says otherwise...people are going to expect you to back up your words with concrete evidence, or back off that stance and admit that maybe you are being too hard on everyone else who insist that it makes no difference to the snake's overall behavior.

As for being careful on feeding day....I can't imagine being otherwise! And I can't imagine trying to life MY ball python out of her tub on feeding day because she IS looking for food. But any other time, she's very easy to get out and has never shown any tendency at all toward striking at me.

And all this time I was told I had a "normal" ball python... :P

Different folks, different strokes. Different snakes, different shakes.

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Originally Posted by bearhart

I was under the impression that impaction may not happen very often but, when it does, it can be deadly. I recall a member here posting that he had a snake die from impaction.

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Impaction can be deadly. If your snake happens to swallow a small pc of bark or two the juices in it's digestive system usually will break it down, after all it breaks bones , hair etc. I know it was never a problem for Ozzy when I had him on bark and from time to time he swallowed a few pcs here and there. But it is always better to be safe than sorry so if that is a concern then put down a pc of paper when feeding.

I've never fed out of the enclosure, I feed all 17 of mine in the enclosure. I have even been known to quickly clean out an enclosure 3 or 4 hours after feeding if someone has turned over a water dish, or defecated (I personally won't let them lay in it overnight, and handling of them is under a minute, no more than moving them if I fed out of the enclosure).


I have not experienced any aggressive behavior in that window of time after feeding. None of mine cruise for days on end looking for prey from residual smells, and none of mine are cage aggressive. I've got a pretty laid back crew. I can't really relate to Bear's experience (not suggesting that his experience isn't valid), because I've not ever observed the behavior that he describes with any of my 17 permanent members of my colony.

The ONLY time I experienced cage aggression was with two rescues who were clearly neglected (severly malnourished and underweight) and once they figured out that meals were coming regularly and not once every three or four months, they were on high alert. However, I suspect they would react the same way whether fed in or out of their enclosure, they were THAT malnourished. Once rehabilitated, they went on to their forever home, but I have no doubt that once they had a chance to acclimate properly and were satiated and up to their proper weight, that they would act no differently than the rest of my crew.

I don't know about you, but I don't dare sticking a hand near any of my snakes on feeding day! I prefer to keep my fingers.

Awe man, who resurfaced the thread?

No need to feed outside of tank I have for a fact tried it and Have been bitten several times and never once while feeding inside of the enclosure.

I'm feeding in the enclosure. It's easier and perfect as long as you do it right.
Also makes the chances of getting bitten none because you don't have to pick up the snake to put it back into the enclosure.

I couldn't vote...I do both ;)

I feed 2 of my BP's in their enclosures and my 3rd in a feeding tank. Pie won't eat in her own enclosure. I've tried numerous times. No luck. But as soon as she is in her feeding tank it's all good :P

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Originally Posted by Bright202

Feed outside of the cage, that way you don't have to worry about your snake eating substrate while feeding in the cage. It's a bit of a hassle, but I would recommend it, especially if your feeding live.

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If you're worried about your snake eating substrate then you may want to reconsider what you're putting your snake on. And As far as in our out. I don't think it matters, I've done both and have had no problems doing one or the other.

Oh Yeah, as a matter of a fact one of my snakes won't eat in her cage, I don't know or care why but she's actually fairly aggressive in general (she bites, a lot) but she will only eat prekilled or F/T rats in a dark box.

I do out, not that I think there si nothing wrong with feeding in but feeding out seems to offer more advantages and the risks are easily reduced.

Advantages: Can't ingest substrate, classicly conditions the snake in a way that makes handling safer, can not harm itself on decorations, pray has no where to hide, gives you time for quick spot cleaning and cage maitnence

Disadvantages: handleing during feeding can cause a regurge (I reduce this by having the snake go back in the main tank voluntarily), Less convienint for owner (I reduce this by only having one, but i see where breeders and collecters come from)

Its up to you and your snake just make sure you make an educated decision