feed in tank vs out of tank... what works for you?

I have heard good points from people on both sides of this debate.

Some say out so they are less likely to bite you when reaching for them in there tank and others say it dosnt matter.

What do you do and what have your results been?




Cory

I always feed the snake inside of the enclosure. I think this prevents the stress of being moved and also helps to prevent me from being bitten. I have always fed inside of the enclosure and I do not have any issues with aggression from the snake.

The switching the tanks to reduce biting is false. With some people it may seem like that works, but with the majority it makes no difference. For 14 years I've fed all my snakes in their same enclosure, and this being around 30+ snakes at once, and they don't show aggression to me. I handle mine frequently, so they know the lid popping isn't always "food time." It's when you don't handle them often, that they see any movement in their enclosure as a food item since they aren't used to it. But all my snakes, on feeding day, at night, during the morning, during brumation, anything are all fed in their enclosure with no change in their normal behavior.

I feed in tank.

I figure if people feeding giants don't feel it's necessary to feed out of the tank to avoid cage aggression, BPs don't need to be fed out of the tank either.

I haven't been bitten by a captive snake since I was 8. I think it's safe to say that feeding in-tank did not cause cage aggression.

First started out of tub and tank now its just eitha or...
I got two little guys in tanks and if I feed dem f/t I take em out cause aspen sticks to the f/t prey n I dont wonna worry bout my boyz. Bsides that ive only been bitten do to me bn stupid and having my hand right on dere food.
Most deaths and accidents happen during feeding time.

Dont be a statistic!:rofl:

I feed in tank, never had a problem, nor have I been biten.. as one person said handle the snakes often too, and wash your hands after touching thier food.

Always in the tank!

i actually feed it out of the tank. It never seems to stress her out when i put her in her feeding room so i dont think she minds it. I know it may be a over precaution but i do it cause i dont want to have her bite me when i open her home and she confuses me with food. ITs not much of a hassel so i just take her out to a diff place for eating

we feed our spider ball in a feeding tub outside of his tank, just never want to take any chance of a bite happen.:)

I prefer to put the snake in a seperate enclosure, Since I feed live, I like to watch and check on the snakes, I prefer to put the snake in and then introduce the rat later, Last week was the first week I introduce the snake after the rat was in the seperate enclosure and he tagged me for the first time ever. So I feel when the snake is in first he is fine and then the rat being introduced puts him in feeding mode, And I believe if the rat is in their first that he goes into feeding mode as soon as I take him out of his reg enclosure and he see's the rat which means your hand will be in the feeding tank while you are setting him down and he is in feeding mode as you are holding him and setting him down.

In tank / tub. Never been struck at.

I used to keep the snakes in tanks with coco fiber substrate. I was nervous about them ingesting substrate so I got in the habit of putting down a layer of paper towel over the coco fiber an hour or so before feeding. This would save the rat from getting coco fibers in its fur, and (I think) let the snake know it was dinner time.

I feed outside of the tank in a tub. Just works easier for me because while the mouse is getting all ready I hold him for awhile (having to lock the dogs out of the room of course). If it wasn't for that little fact I would feed in. I don't really think I believe the if you feed in the enclosure you'll get bit theory.

well i feed out of tank but the other day my big female i think now knos when i put her in the feeding tub its feeding time cuz i put her in there and she just waiting for food and if i put anything near her she would try and get it so she knos when its feeding time in her tube lol but i like feeding out side of tank but thats just me

Fifty plus, all in their enclosures - never mistaken for food on non-feeding days. :)

New to snakes since July (i.e. knowing nothing) with a young, nervous BP. I've fed both in the tank itself and in a separate container with no difference. Overall, our BP has calmed down more and more as we've gotten to know each other, with no sign of aggression at all.

I feed in their tubs, washing hands after handling rats and being aware of feeding schedule will be more likeley to prevent any problems i would think

always fed ot of tank i just built a rack it holds their tanks and tubs for feeding and cleaning

I feed Slyder in a separate enclosure, not because I'm afraid of his aggression or anything.. but I prefer to remove him from substrate and supervise his feeding better. I'm sure he'd feed fine in his tank, but this is what we're both used to :)

Thanks for everyones feedback :gj:

Sounds like it really comes down to handeling not where you feed them...

I feed in tank, nothing wrong with feeding out of tank, you will know who's your aggressive feeders are, if it's a problem when you open the enclosure and the snake flies out mouth wide opening looking for food, just use a hook, once the snake is out it knows it's not feeding time, they settle down fast. some of my best handling snakes are aggressive eaters.

I find it depends on the snake! I have 3 that will eat anywhere anytime! I feed live so we make a feeding night out of it and put them in a black storage container type thing and they fead just fine. One of my snake though is really picky about where she eats. Once in a while she will eat out of her rack and others she wont even look at the meal untill i put it in her tub and then instantly hits either way i havent seen anything different with aggression.

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

I have heard good points from people on both sides of this debate.

Some say out so they are less likely to bite you when reaching for them in there tank and others say it dosnt matter.

What do you do and what have your results been?




Cory

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Well i feed in a seperate tub never had a problem... I don't do it because they might confuse me for food ( thats BS) i do it because if they accidentally ingest to much bedding they can get mouth rot... if i were using paper towels as bedding then i would feed on enclosure... and people saying you might get them stress its a lie... if you start feeding them since babies on seperate tub they'll eventually get use to it... but if you start feeding them on seperate tub when they're juvies or adults then they will get stress because they were never use to it...