Feeding before and after

I'm wondering if there is any preparation before feeding. I would like to feed in a separate tub but if I can't handle him for 48 hours after he eats then how do I get him back in his tank?

I'm picking up a baby spider male tomorrow and just want this to be clear before hand. Buying the baby ball for 150$ and got a temperary 24x13x12 tank for 5$. I'm pretty happy I saved so much cash for savings toward future needs as I expected to spend 500$+.... Is this a good price for this morph? I've read they usually go for 250-300$.

I'll post pics hopefully tomorrow.

Thanks

feed in the enclosure, its easier on the snake, and on you. and the only preperation i do is i dont handle them for a few hours before hand

I don't want the snake to mistake my hand for food and hurt himself biting me. But I always thought that if I take him out often to just handle then he shouldn't strike at me. How much truth is there actually to the feeding in different tub anyway?

I think I will do that, thanks!

I get such quick responses here it really is great and I appreciate it.

The he might mistake my hand for food thing is an Internet myth. It is much easier to Fred in the tank. If you are using a shredded wood substrate you just need to make sure that he doesn't eat any of it.

Feed in or out of the enclosure is a much debated subject here :) I have one who will only eat in her enclosure so she eats there. One who has alwya been fed outside his enclosure and eats there. My pied eats in or out on in the bed or where ever I want to feed her:) she is a garbage disposal and I am so thankful for at least one great eater. If you choose to feed in a seperate container simply be gentle when returning the snake to its enclosure and you will be fine. More thought needs to go into prep of the meal than where it is given IMO. If you are feeding Frozen Thawed (F/T) then you need to be sure the rodent is fully thawed before offering and warm enuff for the snake to see it. What I do is place the rodent in a container in the fridge the night before. Then on feed night I warm it in hot tap water for 10 min or so. Then hit it with a blow dryer focusing on the head next to where I am going to feed the snake. This does 2 things one it scents the area and get the snake ready and in feed mode second gives the snake an easy target (the head) and makes it easier to find the correct end to eat :) . If feeding live NEVER leave the snake alone with a live rodent and be ready with tongs or something to put in the rodents mouth to prevent bites/scratches. Also consider what size prey to offer rule of thumb is 10-15% body weight or as big around as the largest section of the snake. I will say this the only time I have ever been bitten by a Ball was during feeding so try to have everything set up before you introduce food and keep your hands from semlling like a rodent :) Keep us posted and be sure to check out the caresheet lots of great info there. And now for the hardest part of owning a new snake PLACE them in thier enclosure or tank and leave them alone for the first 5-7 days to settle. ONLY do your necessary cleaning and maintenance let your little guy settle in. After they have eaten for you at least one most recomend 2-3 time then slowly start handeling them. Hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions when they come up :D

Great! Thank you guys. Lots of good information. I'll probably feed in cage and use the blow dryer method for sure!

As for the spider price? It's from a breeder and nothing seems wrong with him... Bad economy or good luck/barter skills?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SludgeRoach

Is this a good price for this morph? I've read they usually go for 250-300$.

I'll post pics hopefully tomorrow.

Thanks

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I got my male spider for $125. $150 is average for a male spider, females will go for more (probably where you got the $250-$300)

I would also add I have never had a snake mistake my hand for food Unless I was not being smart the one and only time I was bitten I had a rodent in my hand layed the rodent on a paper towel and reached into the tank to move the water bowel and driftwood and well I got what was coming to me it was my fault not the snake :) I can jsut picture my big gal thinking well its warm and smells like a rat YUMMIE:O

I feed all of my snakes in their enclosure and I have never once been mistaken for food. I feed once a week on fridays, I don't pre-scent the room or anything special. I just open the cages and dangle their food above their heads.

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Here's how I thaw mine:

http://youtu.be/qpQYTVPVKj0

and if you look on my YouTube page I have videos of feeding in the enclosure.

No need to take the snake out to feed it. it's better for the snake and easier on you to feed in the enclosure. As long as you don't naturally smell like a rodent, and take care to always wash off anything that smells like a rodent, your snake won't mistake you for a rodent.

That hand/food confusion stuff got started by owners who keep snakes that will strike at anything for any reason...phases of the moon, cold front, warm front, because it's Wednesday, don't like your shirt...only the snake knows for sure.

i paid $75 for my spider that was a little over a month old

I guess I should have noted that I'm in Canada so my guy is a little more most likely. He is awesome! I don't want to stress him out taking pics of him so I'll post some in a few days.