How do you feed on Cypress?

How do you feed your snake on cypress? do you put down a paper towel with the prey on top? This is what I do. I just need ideas on how to keep the substrate off the prey item.

Put the prey on the cypress and close up the enclosure.

OK, so theres no worry about ingestion?

You should actually be more worried about the snake swallowing the paper towel.
If you want to put something down for peace of mind that's fine, but not paper towel. Switch to cardboard or paper plate or something that can't be ingested.

Think of it this way though...
Nobody cleans their food in the wild. They've been eating on dirt for thousand upon thousands of years.

I remember two cases where two snakes ingested paper towels. One died, and the other one fortunately passed it; must have been a larger, lucky snake.

I'd do as Craig suggested...a cardboard box lid makes a good plate, or a plastic top...even a real plate. A little substrate ingested is not usually an issue, but a
little bit each time could build up into something the snake can't digest or pass...remote chance but these are our pet-pals, & the problem is easy to avoid.

The problem with a paper towel is that moisture makes it stick to the prey & get swallowed; never use paper or cloth as a "plate". Good question.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

OK, so theres no worry about ingestion?

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Now if do see a big piece or a splinter sticking to the rat or the mouth of the snake, I will reach in with tongs and pull it off. But I don’t worry about the crumb like pieces.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reinz

Now if do see a big piece or a splinter sticking to the rat or the mouth of the snake, I will reach in with tongs and pull it off. But I don’t worry about the crumb like pieces.

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Agreed 100%. I also try to remove any "sharp" or questionable pieces as I add new substrate. I don't sit there and pick through it meticulously, but if I see a piece that's questionable I remove it. Same when I'm spot cleaning or simply notice a random piece.

I appreciate the replies guys. Thanks, this will help me alot.

Backing up the moisture comment, I always make sure the prey itself is dry too. I thaw in water but use a baggie to keep it from getting wet, so that cypress pieces don't stick to it once the snake is eating.