Separate feeding area- what to use? (and a couple questions about feeding)

I'm purchasing all my stuff for my first python, and want to have a separate feeding area outside of his/her regular terrarium (but still in "their" room). I am hoping for something economical like a large plastic bin. i also have an old fish tank with very high sides but would prefer to get rid of it because it takes up a lot of space. What do you use?
After they've eaten do you have to give them some time in there before moving them back to their enclosure?
I see people using special tongs, but would a regular pair of small general purpose tongs work?

I use nothing, everyone gets fed in their enclosure, it limits the stress of moving that could lead to a refusal and it limits the risk of getting tagged by a snake in feeding mode when moving it :gj:

That's called keeping it simple.

But if you really want to you can always use a sterilite bin.

There is no need to move them to feed. They do not get cage aggressive, and moving them to feed can stress them out. Which can also cause them to not eat. Moving them can cause you to get bit by a snake that's in feed mode too. All of mine eat in their tubs and are fine. Feeding them in their enclosure makes everyone's life easier, imo.

Feed inside the tank it lives it, reduce stress. You can use anything that makes you happy an gets the job done in dangling the rat in front of the snake. If I feed frozen I grab tail with my hand, I mainly feed live tho. But again no need to separate tank for feeding

When I started with our first BP, I tried feeding in a separate tub. However, the BP wouldn't eat in the tub. Consequently, I switched to feed in the BP's living quarters. Things seem to go much better that way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

Well I'm glad I asked! I thought it would risk making them aggressive if they were fed in their enclosure.

One more question then! I just thought of this while researching substrates. Is it an issue if they ingest certain substrates while feeding?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sugar

One more question then! I just thought of this while researching substrates. Is it an issue if they ingest certain substrates while feeding?

---

They can digest bones, fur, teeth so a little substrate is not gonna hurt.

Yeah everyone will say that but mine is just fine in a seperate tub.
I have had zero problems.
When i first got my BP it seemed like everyone made it out like if you whispered too loud around him he will throw up and have a bad shed....like hes a glass butterfly...
Stress?? Im sure my cat or my jerky children do more of that than me picking up snake and putting him in tub.

Feed him seperate if you want, as long as he eats.
Hes not going to catch on fire and barf himself inside out
Its also a good way to get some spot cleaning, waterbowl scrubbing or refilling done as well

If it works then have at it homie

You shouldnt really feed them outside their home but if u really want to and want to keep it cheap i use to use a cardboard box. I never had ANY problems feeding in a seperate area but now that i have a couple more snakes its just simpler to feed them where they are. As long as you open its enclouser for more than just feeding (like cleaning and handling) then your snake wont associate you opening his enclousure with feeding time.

Thanks Deborah and Thanks Gerardo, that puts things into perspective. When I get my little guy I'll try feeding in the enclosure. I plan on handling them a healthy amount and cleaning frequently obviously so I guess they'll be used to my hands and know they aren't food.

I feed mine in the cardboard box that her tank came in and I've never had any problems. I decided not to feed her in the tank just because I have it really cluttered in there and I'm just too paranoid that she'll get herself hurt if I dropped a mouse in there with her. I also use feeding time as cleaning time for the tank, so that's convenient. Although, I do agree that it would just be easier to feed in their home. Once I get a rack system and more snakes, I'll just feed them in their tubs.

Its not that "you cant," feed them in a separate container but some will eat while alot prob will not. In my opinion it has never made any sense to me why someone would move said animal from one enclosed space to another enclosed space to feed them when they will eat fine in their enclosure. I would like to shake the hand of the ppl that come up with all of the ball python myths.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sugar

Thanks Deborah and Thanks Gerardo, that puts things into perspective. When I get my little guy I'll try feeding in the enclosure. I plan on handling them a healthy amount and cleaning frequently obviously so I guess they'll be used to my hands and know they aren't food.

---

I feed in the enclosure, but I even managed to screw that up, so I'll throw this out there so you don't make the same mistake. I always thought it would make sense to take everything out of the enclosure for feeding so the rodent was easily accessible, couldn't hide out in one of the hides, and the snake would have a lot of room to do its thing.

When I switched to larger prey, the snake would sit in one corner while the rat sat in the other. I assumed it was because the snake was intimidated by the size of the rat. I talked to Jerry (SnakesRKewl, or something like that) on Facebook and he said not to remove all the crap from the enclosure. After taking his advice, I've had no feeding problems. Sure, she doesn't ALWAYS eat on feeding day but it's obvious that she just doesn't feel like it. When I was moving everything out, the refusal to eat was different. I don't know how to explain it, but as you watch and get to know your snake's behavior, you'll just know if something is "off" or if it's just not in the mood.

I've always fed F/T in the enclosures with no issues. No stress to the snakes, and no chance of anyone getting hurt.