Feeding. Ft in the tank? Ok? Bad?

We just got a male fire from Mike Willbanks at constrictors unlimited and he has been eating very well except while in shed. After a week of shedding he ate in his separate feeding tub but the last few nights hasn't showed any interest other than trying to get out of the tub. So I put him back in his tank and he went straight to the hot side hide. I decided to wiggle the mouse in front of his hide and WHAM he attacked. He then dragged the mouse into the hide and consumed it.

Was this ok to do? I know that's how they feed in the wild. Will this make him tank aggressive? Just don't wan to be bit when getting him out to handle or clean the enclosure.

It's fine to feed in his enclosure. Almost everyone here does it without issue.
No, it does not make the snakes aggressive. They know the difference between you and food. In fact, you have a higher chance at getting bitten by transferring them to a separate tub. Moving a snake that is still in feeding mode isn't the smartest thing. And most ball pythons eat more consistently in their own enclosures because they feel more comfortable.

As long as he's not hungry or you don't smell like food, you're fine.

It is not necessary to use a feeder tank. Feeding in the snakes enclosure does not make them aggressive. However, you should avoid putting your hand in the enclosure for a while after feeding, as they may still be in feeding mode and may mistake your hand as prey. Always give them at least 24 hours to digest the prey before handling again. I personally go 36+ hours before handling. This prevents regurgitation if they become stressed and gives them plenty of time to come out of feeding mode.

I have six ball python and two Brazilian Rainbow Boas and I put none into a feeding tank. I have never been bitten by any of them. They are docile and healthy.

I feed in there enclosures and it works great. Never had problems with them getting aggressive.

The only one of mine I move for feeding is only because she's experimentally on aspen for the time being (it's a boring story, but PM me if you really want to hear it). I had a mild accident feeding on aspen a few months ago so I move her as a precaution. And f/t vs. live doesn't make a difference either in this scenario, just be sure to wash your hands well afterward so you don't smell like food to him. I'm glad he's eating for you!

I also feed in the enclosure, no aggression issues :)

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Thanks for all the replies! I feel much better now. I had a friend who had a large female that he fed in the tank and when every you opened the lid it would strike at you. Maybe she was just a wild one. That was back in the 90's.

So what's better ft or live?

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Originally Posted by tj4x4fun

So what's better ft or live?

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What do you prefer? This is a personal choice and most members feed whichever works best for them. Some who have small collections prefer F/T, some with larger collections and feeder colonies prefer the ease of feeding live because they have a constant supply. Either way you choose, always feed responsibly with appropriate sized prey.

F/T or prekilled are your safest options. When feeding live you need to watch each snake kill the prey to make sure the prey does not attack your snake causing damage by biting or clawing.

F/T and prekilled can just be tossed in without having to watch the snake. This can also help shy snakes eat because you can leave them completely alone.

F/T can also easily be bought in bulk and stored which I rather much more than raising prey.

On another note... f/t or prekilled is sometimes not an option for some snakes. There are those who will only eat live. And there are those who will not eat f/t or prekilled unless they are zombie danced for and won't eat it if its just laid in there.


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Originally Posted by tj4x4fun

So what's better ft or live?

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Whichever you prefer, whichever is most convenient for you, and whichever your snake will go along with as well.

Also, feeding in the tank is fine.

To the OP (Tj4x4fun), do a bit of searching. These two topics of feeding in the cage or outside and the f/t vs live probably have over 50 threads with probably 200 pages between all of them to be conservative. You will find much more precise information in those threads as they have been debated very heavily on the forums which will allow you to choose from that wealth of information.

To suffice my position. BPs do not associate food with opening cages, they are solely driven by smell and heat. Reticulated pythons and smarter lizard species can associate opening the cage with food which is why hook training or tong training respectively is very important.

F/T vs Live. Both are incredibly dangerous if done incorrectly, neither is safer then the other. Done correctly, both are completely safe. Everyone has their preferences for which is more convenient to feed, so make the decision yourself. Personally I do a mixture of F/T rats/mice/asfs and live asfs.

I have a normal male who turns 22 yrs old on Jan 1 , he's been in the same square 60 gallon since I traded a crossbow for him when he was 2 months in . He has eaten EVERY meal(probably close to 1,000), shed, drank water, and relieved himself in the same tank his entire life. NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES...(knock on wood)

"F/T vs Live. Both are incredibly dangerous if done incorrectly, neither is safer then the other. Done correctly, both are"

How is ft dangerous ?

Somebody with more experience can correct me if I'm wrong but the main danger I know is feeding a f/t that is not all the way warmed. A warm rodent with an ice cube for a belly could ( i assume logially) bring your snakes core temp down.

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Originally Posted by h20hunter

Somebody with more experience can correct me if I'm wrong but the main danger I know is feeding a f/t that is not all the way warmed. A warm rodent with an ice cube for a belly could ( i assume logially) bring your snakes core temp down.

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Gotcha. I always make sure they are fully defrosted and squishy. Then I heat the prey under a heat lamp for 5 minutes. I couldn't see anyone icecubing a python but then again there are some dumb people out there.

As for feeding is every 7 days ok? And is he doesn't take can the rat pup or mouse be refrozen?

Yea my butter will eat even without doing a zombie dance. But feeding in her enclosure is just easier and less stressful

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Originally Posted by tj4x4fun

Gotcha. I always make sure they are fully defrosted and squishy. Then I heat the prey under a heat lamp for 5 minutes. I couldn't see anyone icecubing a python but then again there are some dumb people out there.

As for feeding is every 7 days ok? And is he doesn't take can the rat pup or mouse be refrozen?

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If he's young, anything from 4 or 5 days to 7 days should work. They grow a little faster if you feed them more often, but as long as the food is big enough, 7 days will work if that's more convenient for you.

Some people refreeze if the meal is refused. I do not. I think once the body starts breaking down and bacteria start forming and processing things in the warm corpse, it's better to just toss it and try again with a new one next time.

What is a good source to get a scale and what brand do you recommend?

I paid less than $20 for mine at Walmart. Make sure you get one that reads weight in grams.

Awesome thanks so much.

Yep got mine at Walmart for $18

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Originally Posted by Spencer88

I feed in there enclosures and it works great. Never had problems with them getting aggressive.

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That's what I was about to say

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

That's what I was about to say

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I'm thinking that's how he will be fed from now on. Opened it up today, tapped on his hide and picked him right up. No issues. Happy snake makes a happy handler.