The Age Old Question

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Originally Posted by Slim

And there's STILL no reason to feed a BP outside it's enclosure.

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Sarcasm doesn't always translate well in a web forum. My bad LOL

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

Even if it's what they're used to and they've been feeding without issue this way for years? Should I just start feeding her in the tank anyway?

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Honestly, if it works for you and your snakes, I say rock on with it :salute:

LOL my bad, I'm slow when it comes to online sarcasm... I guess if I ever do encounter any problems, then I'll switch. My albino black pastel BP is on a winter hunger strike right now, so I'll try feeding in the tank with him and see if that works. :)

My first post to this website, so why not go with a highly controversial subject? lol

I'm a total noob in regard to BPs, having just got my first one a little over a month ago. Already read Kevin McCurley's book as well as Collette Sutherland's, so I've done some amount of research (apart from loads of threads online).

I was told that the BP that I bought (~2 year old female from a local reptile store) had always been fed live and outside of the enclosure. To be honest, I don't have an incredibly passionate opinion on this whole subject, but there are a few reasons why I've maintained the same practice that the shop had. As a note, my whopping 5 feedings thus far (yeah, I'm a noob) have all gone off without a hitch.

1. She had always been eating live and outside of the enclosure, so to avoid 'acceptance of food issues' I figured I'd just be consistent. I wouldn't mind experimenting with different methods though.
2. Although I believe that a little bit of substrate will likely not harm the animal, outside feeding completely avoids this (much in the way feeding pre-killed will always avoid bite-related injury to the snake). This second point isn't a big motivating factor for me feeding outside the enclosure, but it's something.
3. Now here's the sticky one that I have yet to see anyone post about. Like many of you, I have more than one hide in my enclosure. I have a hot-side one (above the UTH) and a cold side one. My concern about leaving a live rat in there is that since 100% supervision is required when dealing with a live rat, the possibility exists that the rat will simply "hide out" in whatever hide is currently unoccupied by the BP. If the rat is smart (whole different debate), it would just avoid the BP for as long as possible. If I'm going to supervise the kill, I really don't want to sit in front of the vivarium for an extended period of time waiting for the rat to get adventurous, leave the hide, and get snagged. I find that my separate cardboard box (4' x 1.5') feeding enclosure has been great, and time from 'placement of rat' to 'rat fully consumed' is around 15-20 minutes.

I would have no problem being swayed to feeding in the enclosure, but I'd really like to hear some thoughts on my 3rd point.

At the end of the day, I hope everyone's BPs are enjoying their meals!

Do what works for you. There isnt 1 way to do it right over the other..and I dont care about all the arguing over feeding in enclosure vs. Out of enosure... Just do what wrks for your animal. I have had many snakes ovr the years..some I fed in enclosure, others I have not, bc thats what they were use to. Frankly, for me, I prefer feeding out of their enclosure bc it gives me time to really pick thru and clean while they are out to dinner.

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On a side note.. A rodent that is live should never be left unattended in a snakes enclosure. Too much risk to the snake.

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

Frankly, for me, I prefer feeding out of their enclosure bc it gives me time to really pick thru and clean while they are out to dinner.

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This is why I like to feed Yigg outside of his enclosure. While he's eating, it gives me a chance to spot-clean, refresh his water, and otherwise check on things in his tank. I also like it for ensuring that he gets handled (however briefly) at least once a week; I also weigh him just before feeding as well, so I can keep close track of his weight.

He hasn't shown any signs of stress or refusal to eat in the six months I've had him, so it's working for us!