is my cage big enuff

Hey there everyone!!!!
Im a first time snake owner and i was wondering if the 30x12x12 is a big enuff tank for my bp Moses or will i have to up grade??? also i should get another rubbermaid container to feed him in correct? and should i feed live or dead???
thanks
pinkham64

Your tank will work, although most would say try to get a little more floor space for him when he is fully grown. Feeding in a different enclosure is strictly your preference, as long as he will not swallow any substrate if you feed him in the tank. Dead is always better. A dead rat can't bite. It may be a challenge to get him to take dead, though.

Thats a 20 long, correct? You'll need to upgrade to a 30 or so.

Separate feeding containers have nothing to do with the snake's safety or health. People believe that it'll prevent themselves from accidently being bitten.

Feed dead, safer.

ya thats a 20L but i like all the feed back keep it coming

i personally think feed boxes are a good idea they really do associate eating with it when i drop sage in the feed box he/she will slither around waiting for the food to be dropped in. I use a cardboard box with the flaps taped up to add more height and if they strike wrong or whatever and hit the side cardboard isn't as bad as hard glass.

Jesus that was me i keep doing that

Hehe - have done it myself a few times. For those tha tuse a feedbox, esp the cardboard variety - how long do leave your snake in there after feeding? Do you allow for digestion or handle for the transfer back right away?

good question. . . . my friend that has a red tail use to let it eat then wait like 10-15 minutes until he put it back i think

I put my gopher back in his tank when I see that the lump is well down along his body. I gently scoop him up and lay him back in his cage near his favorite hide. He crawls right into his hide and curls up to digest....never had a problem with regurging. Just be gentle and don't handle them any more than necessary to make the shift. If the snake looks nervous or anxious about being picked up at that time, if it tries to run away from you, then I would wait.

I wait until they're done swallowing and start to cruise. Then I know it's time to get 'em out, supporting the lump, and put 'em back home.

Thanks I really wanted to know this stuff too! (how soon to handle after feeding)

My BP usually gets a little stressed and won't eat when I move him to a different container for feeding. My BCI however does eat in a separate container. I usually give him about 15-30 minutes for the rat to make it all the way down, then I put him right back in his normal enclosure.

This is my Strategy. The day before feeding, I would throw a towel on top of his enclosure so its nice and dark for him. I would not handle him for about a 32hour period. I would then go to petco and get an appropriate size mouse and put him in a small rubbermaid. Wash hands and forearms thouroughly and then put my Ball inside the Rubbermaid with the mouse in one corner. I stand by with Tongs and a Large spatula incase the mouse gets the wrong idea. It usually takes 5 seconds for my snake to smell and strike and strangle. I wait until the mouse is dead and then I put the cover on and throw a towel on top so its nice and dark. The rubber maid usually is sittingn next to a heater so its nice and warm and smells of dead mice. After fifteen minutes have gone by I transfer my Ball back into its enclosure and throw the towel back on. And no Handling for 32 hours. Thats my feeding method.
Whatcha think?
Raj

dumb question but whats a BCI

A type of red tail boa (Boa Constrictor Imperator)

I also use a cardboard box with the side flaps taped. My bp seems to know whats up and flicks and goes into hunt mode right away. I don't do anything special right before feeding, tho. Today he was held and handled as usual (bout 20 min or so) and then put into feeding box. Sometimes I put him directly in, sometimes handle....doesn't matter. He gobbles right up, gives the jaw aligning yawn and then he goes back home. Today was two 3 wk rat pups, a drink of water, and simmer over heat pad!
Always a good feeder........knock on wood!