Where do you feed?

I had read somewhere that it was a good idea to put your bp, or any snake for that matter, in something else other than their cage for feeding time. That way they don't mistake you trying to get them out for dinner time. How many of you do this? Thanks,

Jeremy

I do and i'm pretty sure over 60% of the other people on this site do as well
for the reason you just stated and for others I.E. swallowing substrate with there meal and getting an impaction

I feed my snakes in an empty 28 budweiser box and it works great for me
another suggestion would be in a rubbermaid or on the floor (as long as you don't feed live)

I do it. For more reasons that what you mentioned, but that is a main one. Mostly though, I don't want them to accidently ingest their substrate. Some of mine are on bark, and the others are on paper towels. I obviously don't have to worry about the paper towels, but then I take them out anyway so they don't give me that feeding response every time I put my hand in the enclosure. I've heard recently that some ball pythons actually know their feeding enclosure, and give that feeding response when they are put in it. Mine haven't shown that yet; but it just goes to show they aren't stupid, lol.

Jennifer

I have tried to feed my bp twice since I have gotten him. And it was in his cage. I guess I have been fortunate that he hasn't taken the food. Since then, I have read about moving them to feed. I will be sure to do this from now on. Thanks a lot for the help.

Jeremy

I feed my BP in his tank. I don't use a lose substrate for him. He eats great. I feed my Kenyan Sand Boa in a deli cup because he's on crushed walnut shells for a substrate.

I never really understood how a snake would associate you being in the cage with feeding time if you also take them out to hold and for cleaings- probably more often than to get in and feed them. I could see if you never handled them and only got in their cage to feed them and maybe to clean how they might associate you with food. I dunno. Maybe I'm just lucky with my BP.

I do think that if you use a loose substrate you should feed outside their cage.

I feed mine in the tank. But prior to feeding him one of the kids will hold him while I remove his hides, branch and water dish. I then lay newspaper down over the substrate. After about 15 minutes of him being held I then put him back in the tank and feed him. I allow about 15 - 20 minutes after he has ate, then he is held just long enough to remove the newspaper and put his belongings back in the tank. I know this sounds like a bunch of trouble to go through, but I have all the time in the world and it does not bother me, nor has it bothered him.

I use a large cardboard box with astroturf on the bottom just like his tank. He won't eat unless the turf is down! But I won't feed him in his tank. It's just best, IMO, that he never associates food with his home. Sometimes a wandering finger can be mistaken for a meal-sized item if they are used to finding food in there once in a while.
Just an extra precaution I take to avoid unpleasant possibilities. :wink:

Wow maybe I should do that. I have from the start feed him in his cage right in front of his hide and then he will usually take it into his hide to eat.
I have repti-bark down so should move him out , tho, I have never noticed it sticking to the prey. Now that he has feed 4 times in his tank how hard to get him use to another way? and any suggestions as to what to use???
He is use to being out of view to eat.
thanks

Well, you can put a hide in a feed box for him. I didn't have any trouble once I put the turf down. He seemed to prefer the familiarity of it to eat in a strange place. Of course all bp's have thier own wierd ways about them...........
Since you're using bark, that won't do. A hide will probably work. Set him in the box, he'll most likely dart for the hide. Then bring in the rodent. He should sniff it out. I usually let a rat run around in the feed box for a couple minutes to get the scent everywhere. Then when I lower Xaero in, he can smell food and is right away trying to track it down. After smacking the rat I put it back in the box. It doesn't last long.
Hope this helps. You shouldn't have too much trouble. The main reason they won't eat for you in a box is because it's a strange place where they don't feel safe. Make them feel more secure and they will focus on eating again. Then again, some feed in the tank and never have a problem. Give it a whirl, just don't get too stressed, we'd hate for you to stop eating, too! :lol:

:D Thanks ! unlike Ozzy I could use the stress if it got me to stop eating for a while :)
I will try this, any type of box? guess I will line it wil newspaper and put a hide in it
Thanks again

So lemme get this all straight. I bring home a new BP. I leave him alone for abot two weeks to get adjusted to his new home. I than remove him from his enclosure set him down in another rubbermade tote, that has a F/T mouse/rat in it and wait to see if he eats if not , than what?

If you are using a loose substrate, then yes you should feed in a separate container. I would put the snake in first and then with tongs present the prey to your snake - wiggle it a bit a couple of inches in front of him.

So if its the first feeding your giving a new snake should you move him to a feeding bin anyway? And if he doesnt eat just keep trying every week or so? Or do you start out first in the enclosure than move to a feeding bin? Sorry I sound so ignorant but Im trying to get all the details straight in my mind BEFORE I bring anything home. :?

Start feeding in whatever you intend to continue feeding in is what I'd suggest, especially if you have a loose substrate in your enclosure. And yes, just keep trying every week or so. As Tigergenesis suggested, using tongs (or hemostats or something similar) to hold the prey and wiggle it around may help the snake to identify it as prey. If the snake doesn't strike at the wiggling dead prey, drop it in the box, close the top, and leave it alone for an hour or so to see if he'll take it. Sometimes they are reluctant to eat when they know they're being watched.

thanks marla. Only 100 questions more and Ill be ready!! :D

LOL, beaglegod. You'd set a fine example for the Boy Scouts ("Be prepared"). :)

Well...speaking of feeding. Tomorrow is hydras first feed with me. Im getting a little nervous. She will be feeding on a hoppper outside of her cage in a cardboard box. My question is how long after she feeds do I have to wait to pick her up and put her back in her cage? I don't want to stress her out enough to spit it back up.

It's not so much how long as how far, IMO. I wait until the meal is past the first third of the body before picking up, and then I make sure to do it with no sudden movements.

maybe a better idea to wear gloves?

Why? Gloves won't make the snake less likely to regurgitate.

yes your right

Good luck with your feeding. I'm sure it will go fine.

When I fed out of the cage, I gave them about 10 minutes after the tail disappeared to get it settled. Then just gently pick him up, supporting the lump, and put him in his home.

yeah we'll see tomorrow, its her first time...I will let you all know how it goes. maybe I will digitally tape it and send it to the site to post.