Do you feed in tank?

I also don't think it's the best idea to feed in another tank/enclosure because isn't it not good to start picking up snakes soon after they just downed a big rat??

I feed out of the tank for sheer convenience. I have a little lab rat transport case with a mesh top, so just stick the dinner in there. While she's out of the cage I can do stuff like replace the substrate, wash the hides, and do other weekly maintenance. Never had a problem with not taking the food. I've only been bitten once, and it was my fault. If you drop the rat and it lands on the side of the tub, DO NOT reach in and try to pick it up :P.

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Originally Posted by Slim

It's a proven fact that feeding out of the enclosure will cause all your children to be born naked...

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I was wondering what caused that. Thanks for clearing that up. Ha ha. :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by luvmyballs

I was wondering what caused that. Thanks for clearing that up. Ha ha. :rolleye2:

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No worries, in this hobby it's all about paying it forward ;)

I tried feeding outside of the tank at first because I heard from someone it was like "the thing to do" because of possible aspen eating, but my snake refused to eat in a "feeding tub".

Once I started feeding her in her tank she actually ate (I still have to turn off all the lights and leave the room after leaving the P/K mouse in there but as long as she eats!).

What did I miss here...


I was feeding separately for a while and because of this thread and because I thought it may be more convenient I started feeding my snakes in the tubs. The shy normal that I have actually struck out of her hide, which was cool for once because usually I have to leave her all alone in the dark for a while with it. My bee had the same ravenous response he normally had when he was pre-scented in the feeding bin. I've fed them twice in the tubs so far. 48 hours after the second feeding (today) I went to pick up my bee. Before I even slid out the cage I could see he was in full feeding mode and ready to strike. I took the lid off and every movement I made with my hand toward him he responded as if he were going to strike, head bumbling around the whole time (wobbly little guy). I just sat and watched him for a minute and noticed he kept sniffing over the little blood stains that were left from his meal.

TL;DR

How/when do you clean out the cage after your snake eats in there so the scent isn't retained?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrLang

What did I miss here...


I was feeding separately for a while and because of this thread and because I thought it may be more convenient I started feeding my snakes in the tubs. The shy normal that I have actually struck out of her hide, which was cool for once because usually I have to leave her all alone in the dark for a while with it. My bee had the same ravenous response he normally had when he was pre-scented in the feeding bin. I've fed them twice in the tubs so far. 48 hours after the second feeding (today) I went to pick up my bee. Before I even slid out the cage I could see he was in full feeding mode and ready to strike. I took the lid off and every movement I made with my hand toward him he responded as if he were going to strike, head bumbling around the whole time (wobbly little guy). I just sat and watched him for a minute and noticed he kept sniffing over the little blood stains that were left from his meal.

TL;DR

How/when do you clean out the cage after your snake eats in there so the scent isn't retained?

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Mine never do this when they are full. How big is he and how big of prey are you feeding?

sent from my EVO

There is a much easier solution to any potential problem with a snake being ready to eat when you open the bin/cage.
Just get a small snake hook. Touch the snake with it gently, and push its head down, and it will calm down. You can then pick it up. No need to fuss with feeding in a separate enclosure, which, as you noted, ball pythons do not prefer.

He weighs around 150g and eats 23-28g adult mice every 5 days. On the third day he ALWAYS starts prowling like he's hungry.

This just seemed strange because I've never seen him act that way in cage, almost striking at me when I've clearly just covered my hands in sanitizer and there's no mouse or rat anything except the little stain on the paper towel.

People all over this thread are talking about how there's no difference in behavior and I noticed a pretty huge one immediately after switching. It made me think...

Do the 50% of owners who feed in tank with less than 10 snakes do it merely because the breeders do? The breeders do it for convenience and because they're not really worried about shaping a nice family friendly animal, just a fat healthy one? I'm not taking stabs at anyone, but these are questions I'm asking myself after seeing this night and day change in my pet. I'd be really interested to see some input here from the owners who have more than 10 snakes and feed out of their cage and why.

I will try the hook if the behavior continues, or maybe just switch back.

He weighs around 150g and eats 23-28g adult mice every 5 days. On the third day he ALWAYS starts prowling like he's hungry.

This just seemed strange because I've never seen him act that way in cage, almost striking at me when I've clearly just covered my hands in sanitizer and there's no mouse or rat anything except the little stain on the paper towel.

People all over this thread are talking about how there's no difference in behavior and I noticed a pretty huge one immediately after switching. It made me think...

Do the 50% of owners who feed in tank with less than 10 snakes do it merely because the breeders do? The breeders do it for convenience and because they're not really worried about shaping a nice family friendly animal, just a fat healthy one? I'm not taking stabs at anyone, but these are questions I'm asking myself after seeing this night and day change in my pet. I'd be really interested to see some input here from the owners who have more than 10 snakes and feed out of their cage and why.

I will try the hook if the behavior continues, or maybe just switch back.


EDIT: These people- Mistress, ninerballs, RobNJ

Are people calling feeding behavior in their cage 'cage aggression?' Is this just a case of mislabeling what, to me as a casual pet owner, is an undesirable behavior?