Feed in or out of cage?

So I have read that feeding balls out of their enclosure makes them use to food not being in their tank... and therefor not seeing you as food. I have also read that this is pointless and just stresses the snake. I have a ball who just likes to eat, period. He eats f/t. Last week he ate in his tank, I needed to clean out some urates so I took him out for today's feeding and he ate no hesitation. He didn't even let me drop the rodent this week, ate it out of the tongs. So, if he's stressed it doesn't effect his eating habits. I have a deep and dark container that I put him in that has a top with a whole cut out (failed roach motel).

I do plan on handing him on occasion. I have a 4 year old who rather likes the snake. So, a even temperament is wanted. He so far has shown to be fairly okay, usual in his hiding, comes out occasionally late at night.

It is pointless. There is a huge majority of us on here that feed in the tub. The whole feed outside of tub to lower aggression is a HUGE myth.

I feed inside their tubs. The way you get them to know you are not food is by handling them between feed days. The snake will associate you with food if you only interact with it on days when you feed and days when you clean.

Feed him in his tub/enclosure. He will be fine. We feed in tubs, and my daughter has been handling the snakes since she was 6, when we first got into them. What's going to make more of a difference than where you feed him, is your snakes actual personality. Out of 7 balls, and 1 boa, there is just 2 bps that I won't let her handle on her own. The rest are trustworthy, and she knows her way around snakes.

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definitely feed in their enclosure. Handle them as well. With the 20 that I have, I can't handle them all as much as I should. Still, I rarely get bitten (always on feeding day, always my fault). Most of them are kittens, a couple are tigers.

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Originally Posted by reptiliachnids

It is pointless. There is a huge majority of us on here that feed in the tub. The whole feed outside of tub to lower aggression is a HUGE myth.

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X2 This :)

Thanks for the input, I'll just leave him in his cage the next time. He went for his hides pretty quick when I put him back in, so I'm sure he wasn't too impressed with his bin feeding.

This might be worth another thread.. but... do you worry about dead rodent germs breeding in your balls cage? Or am I just being a unrealistic germaphobe? Last week when I fed him in the cage I put the rat on a large shallow petri dish that I have (I occasionally order baby silk worms for my lizards and they are shipped in them) and put the rat on that. Of course he didn't leave the rat on it and dragged it across the tank a little. I then forgot to take out the dish (it's clear) and put his water dish on it. I noticed it when I cleaned his dish the next day, so the "germ dish" was in there for a day anyways.

Personally, I think it's a case of better safe than sorry. You'll hear evidence for both sides of the story. However, until I hear some evidence that suggests feeding them outside of their tub/cage has a negative impact, I'd rather feed outside, even if just for my own peace of mind as a placebo. I'd welcome someone that could tell me about some negative side-effects though, 'cause I'm not sure it's a real great idea to be handling a BP that's digesting food, putting it back into the enclosure. Just my .02, as they say.

I wouldn't worry aboiut germs if the rodent is consumed quickly, but if it is left overnight I might clean the cage.

These products are safe to use in your cage, and are very effective disinfectants

http://www.reptilebasics.com/chlorhexadine-gallon

http://www.reptilebasics.com/cleanin...fectant-200ml/

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Originally Posted by BWyant

Personally, I think it's a case of better safe than sorry. You'll hear evidence for both sides of the story. However, until I hear some evidence that suggests feeding them outside of their tub/cage has a negative impact, I'd rather feed outside, even if just for my own peace of mind as a placebo. I'd welcome someone that could tell me about some negative side-effects though, 'cause I'm not sure it's a real great idea to be handling a BP that's digesting food, putting it back into the enclosure. Just my .02, as they say.

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The only negative side effect you may experience would be a snake being too stressed out to eat once you get it out. I feed all mine in their tubs. No problems. :)


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