Feeding in a separate tub vs. enclosure.

In a few months I'll have a snake baby of my own and I've been wondering what people's thoughts are on whether or not to feed them in a separate tub?

I've seen lots of conflicting opinions, but I was just curious about people's experiences with doing either!

Thanks. :)

Conflicting opinions are generally from people that keep perpetuation the myth that if a snake is fed in the enclosure he will be cage aggressive. ;)

Snakes should be fed in their enclosure for their sake and for yours as well, moving a snake that is in feed mode is the best way to get tagged, with BP in particular it can also be stressful enough to lead to refusal.

Trust me on feeding day I would not venture in putting my hand in my snakes enclosures let alone picking one up to transfer it to another location, with a strong routine they can be conditioned to know when feeding day is and can be on feed mod from early during that day to hours after their meal.

While in theory it may make sense to do so, in practice there is almost no benefit to feeding in a separate tub.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Conflicting opinions are generally from people that keep perpetuation the myth that if a snake is fed in the enclosure he will be cage aggressive. ;)

Snakes should be fed in their enclosure for their sake and for yours as well, moving a snake that is in feed mode is the best way to get tagged, with BP in particular it can also be stressful enough to lead to refusal.

Trust me on feeding day I would not venture in putting my hand in my snakes enclosures let alone picking one up to transfer it to another location, with a strong routine they can be conditioned to know when feeding day is and can be on feed mod from early during that day to hours after their meal.

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Thanks for your input! I asked a few people, got some breeders' opinions and, in general, the more experience they had with snakes the less likely they were to recommend feeding in a separate tub.

Plus I was also concerned about handling a snake/moving it around so soon after it's eaten? I'm not sure if it's an issue, but it seems like it could cause problems. I wouldn't want someone chucking me around after I'd just stuffed my face.

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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Thanks for your input! I asked a few people, got some breeders' opinions and, in general, the more experience they had with snakes the less likely they were to recommend feeding in a separate tub.

Plus I was also concerned about handling a snake/moving it around so soon after it's eaten? I'm not sure if it's an issue, but it seems like it could cause problems. I wouldn't want someone chucking me around after I'd just stuffed my face.

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You are going to want to leave them alone for 48 hours after feeding.

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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Thanks for your input! I asked a few people, got some breeders' opinions and, in general, the more experience they had with snakes the less likely they were to recommend feeding in a separate tub.

Plus I was also concerned about handling a snake/moving it around so soon after it's eaten? I'm not sure if it's an issue, but it seems like it could cause problems. I wouldn't want someone chucking me around after I'd just stuffed my face.

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Exactly! :gj:

I was watching SnakeBytes TV on wed dealing with getting a snake to eat. Bryan dips into this top a little bit. How do you guys feel about his comments in regards to this topic? The part im talking about begins at 7 mins exactly.

https://youtu.be/zWVwB_XXhJw?t=6m59s

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Originally Posted by Rikoku

I was watching SnakeBytes TV on wed dealing with getting a snake to eat. Bryan dips into this top a little bit. How do you guys feel about his comments in regards to this topic? The part im talking about begins at 7 mins exactly.

https://youtu.be/zWVwB_XXhJw?t=6m59s

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I was thinking (happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) that feeding in a separate tub really doesn't erase the possibility of conditioning the snake/getting bitten whatsoever.

All you're going to end up doing is conditioning the snake to associate that tub (rather than its enclosure) with a feeding response, and if you're going to be moving it in and out of that tub... the risk is still there, right? If not, more so.

I think what Bryan said about only going in there to feed it 1/7 days makes sense to me. Much rather to feed in the enclosure 1/7 times than a tub all of the time if you're trying not to get bitten...


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Originally Posted by Rikoku

I was watching SnakeBytes TV on wed dealing with getting a snake to eat. Bryan dips into this top a little bit. How do you guys feel about his comments in regards to this topic? The part im talking about begins at 7 mins exactly.

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He makes a few important points which support feeding in the enclosure between the 7:00 mark and the 8:41 mark:

1. At 7:23, he stays if your snake tends to be timid or why, then it benefits from staying in its enclosure to eat. Since he's talking about all species of snakes, we need to translate that to ball pythons who by their very nature tend to be pretty reclusive.
2. At 7:40, he says that as long as you're in the enclosure doing other things besides feeding, "cage aggression" is all but eliminated (and even rolls his eyes as he says, "I get the argument...whatever you guys want to do.").
3. At the 8:07 mark, he brings up "in the wild" as it relates to substrate ingestion and at 8:30 says flat out that a little substrate ingestion is perfectly fine.

Brian definitely knows a thing or two about snakes. :P

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

He makes a few important points which support feeding in the enclosure between the 7:00 mark and the 8:41 mark:

1. At 7:23, he stays if your snake tends to be timid or why, then it benefits from staying in its enclosure to eat. Since he's talking about all species of snakes, we need to translate that to ball pythons who by their very nature tend to be pretty reclusive.
2. At 7:40, he says that as long as you're in the enclosure doing other things besides feeding, "cage aggression" is all but eliminated (and even rolls his eyes as he says, "I get the argument...whatever you guys want to do.").
3. At the 8:07 mark, he brings up "in the wild" as it relates to substrate ingestion and at 8:30 says flat out that a little substrate ingestion is perfectly fine.

Brian definitely knows a thing or two about snakes. :P

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I definitely agree with him and I feed my snakes in their enclosures. Just thought I would put that out there as he does talk about feeding in a separate tub.

I just got my first bp 2 months ago. We've fed him in his tank every time. I have young sons so I implemented a strict "no hands in the tank on feeding day" rule. I even got a cup to use to refill the water on feeding day so my boys see everyone following the rule. We've never had a problem with him showing aggression. My 3.5 year old son is able to pick him up out of his tank. With supervision, obviously.

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Originally Posted by Gruba

I just got my first bp 2 months ago. We've fed him in his tank every time. I have young sons so I implemented a strict "no hands in the tank on feeding day" rule. I even got a cup to use to refill the water on feeding day so my boys see everyone following the rule. We've never had a problem with him showing aggression. My 3.5 year old son is able to pick him up out of his tank. With supervision, obviously.

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That's good to know! [emoji4] don't want anyone stressed out at feeding time (me OR the snake!).


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My sons first time with the snake around his neck. They're both happy. Picture was taken this morning and tomorrow is his feeding day. We did have to upgrade him to rats last week from mice because he was getting a little grumpy by Thursday but, as you can see, giving him a bigger meal was the solution to that.


https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9

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Originally Posted by Gruba

My sons first time with the snake around his neck. They're both happy. Picture was taken this morning and tomorrow is his feeding day. We did have to upgrade him to rats last week from mice because he was getting a little grumpy by Thursday but, as you can see, giving him a bigger meal was the solution to that.


https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9

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Aww! The more photos I see the more excited I get for mine. ❤️


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

... whether or not to feed them in a separate tub? I've seen lots of conflicting opinions, but I was just curious about people's experiences with doing either! Thanks. :)

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Feeding in situ is so boring. I wouldn't even have snakes if I weren't going to use a separate tub. Check out how much fun this guy is having: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4dr...miUrGYWR-Ld7lw

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Originally Posted by Macropodus

Feeding in situ is so boring. I wouldn't even have snakes if I weren't going to use a separate tub. Check out how much fun this guy is having: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4dr...miUrGYWR-Ld7lw

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I'm confused. Feeding "in situ" looks to be exactly what this guy is doing. :confusd:

sarcasm: sar·casm ˈsärˌkazəm/ (noun) the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. synonyms: derision, mockery, ridicule, scorn, sneering, scoffing; irony

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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

In a few months I'll have a snake baby of my own and I've been wondering what people's thoughts are on whether or not to feed them in a separate tub?

I've seen lots of conflicting opinions, but I was just curious about people's experiences with doing either!

Thanks. :)

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For the love of god don't feed the snake in a separate tub. There is absolutely no advantage whatsoever, only downsides. A snake is not going to mistake you for a rat unless you roll around in a pile of rat bedding or mess with rats and then stick your hand in the cage and wiggle your fingers like dinner.

Plus getting in the routine of feeding in the cage with a small snake like a BP will get you ready for when you upgrade to boas, retics, burms and anacondas because we all know BPs are the gateway drug to more and bigger snakes ;)

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Originally Posted by Macropodus

sarcasm: sar·casm ˈsärˌkazəm/ (noun) the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. synonyms: derision, mockery, ridicule, scorn, sneering, scoffing; irony

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That you have identified your statement as sarcasm doesn't help me. Is this video supposed to be an argument for or against feeding 'in situ'? These snakes are aggressive because they're hungry and they smell the food. Do you think this guy should feed in a separate container?


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Originally Posted by Sauzo

... because we all know BPs are the gateway drug to more and bigger snakes ;)

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Oh god [emoji23] I only intend to have one snake but I can totally see this happening...



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Originally Posted by Macropodus

sarcasm: sar·casm ˈsärˌkazəm/ (noun) the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. synonyms: derision, mockery, ridicule, scorn, sneering, scoffing; irony

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Thank you, Mr. Webster. Unfortunately, that doesn't help clear anything up for me because this sentence...

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Originally Posted by Macropodus

I wouldn't even have snakes if I weren't going to use a separate tub.

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...is as clear as mud as written.

double negative: dou·ble neg·a·tive / (noun) 1) a negative statement containing two negative elements (for example didn't say nothing ); 2) a positive statement in which two negative elements are used to produce the positive force, usually for some particular rhetorical effect (for example there is not nothing to worry about!)

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Originally Posted by BPGator

That you have identified your statement as sarcasm doesn't help me. Is this video supposed to be an argument for or against feeding 'in situ'?

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Exactly this. I'm glad I'm not the only one lost in translation.

Just to touch base, it's purely up to you and opinion to feeding in a separate enclosure vs feeding in it's actual one. When I had my BP's I fed them in their tub as it's easier to do that then place them in separate enclosures, especially for the ones who are more aggressive feeders.

I keep two Rufous Beaked Snakes in a 3' x 2' x 1' high and they've been living together for over two years. I feed them in separate enclosures for a few reasons. I do their tank cleaning during this time because they don't poop on top always, so sometimes it's on the actual bottom of the enclosure, so I have to search for it. Also, because when they get in feeding mode, I don't want them to go for the same mouse, or even bite each other. So that's why I feed them in separate enclosures.

Now when I get my WLP, I won't feed it in a separate enclosure, nor will I do that for my new rat snake that arrived yesterday.

So in the end, it's purely a matter of preference. If you feed out of the enclosure the snake will not think it's always getting fed when being taken out, nor will feeding the snake in the enclosure make it cage aggressive.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Just to touch base, it's purely up to you and opinion to feeding in a separate enclosure vs feeding in it's actual one. When I had my BP's I fed them in their tub as it's easier to do that then place them in separate enclosures, especially for the ones who are more aggressive feeders.

I keep two Rufous Beaked Snakes in a 3' x 2' x 1' high and they've been living together for over two years. I feed them in separate enclosures for a few reasons. I do their tank cleaning during this time because they don't poop on top always, so sometimes it's on the actual bottom of the enclosure, so I have to search for it. Also, because when they get in feeding mode, I don't want them to go for the same mouse, or even bite each other. So that's why I feed them in separate enclosures.

Now when I get my WLP, I won't feed it in a separate enclosure, nor will I do that for my new rat snake that arrived yesterday.

So in the end, it's purely a matter of preference. If you feed out of the enclosure the snake will not think it's always getting fed when being taken out, nor will feeding the snake in the enclosure make it cage aggressive.

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Yeah I get you - I think I just don't want to be handling a snake too much when it has just been fed. Especially as I've never had one before. [emoji4]


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Yeah I get you - I think I just don't want to be handling a snake too much when it has just been fed. Especially as I've never had one before. [emoji4]


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I wasn't saying you should, I was more so providing facts.

Thanks for the help! [emoji4]

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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Thanks for the help! [emoji4]

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Just out of curiosity, what are you getting?

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Originally Posted by Neal

Just out of curiosity, what are you getting?

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Banana ball python most likely. Not for a little while though.


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Banana ball python most likely. Not for a little while though.


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Not a bad choice at all. The only BP I plan on getting if I get back into them is a BEL.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Not a bad choice at all. The only BP I plan on getting if I get back into them is a BEL.

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They're so pretty - I'm not much of a collector/breeder so I didn't want to spend too much on a fancy morph.

I think bananas look quite sweet. Ultramels are lovely as well.


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

They're so pretty - I'm not much of a collector/breeder so I didn't want to spend too much on a fancy morph.

I think bananas look quite sweet. Ultramels are lovely as well.


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Oh, I'm not paying a penny. He's going to give it to me for free.

Where are you getting your BP from, any breeders in mind?

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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

They're so pretty - I'm not much of a collector/breeder so I didn't want to spend too much on a fancy morph.

I think bananas look quite sweet. Ultramels are lovely as well.

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I asked this exact question, in exactly the same way, when I started getting serious and looking for my ball python. Now he's coming in December, and I can't wait!

(To stay on topic, I'm planning to start with feeding him in his enclosure, with tongs; when he's hungry or eating I'm not keen on bothering him too much, for his sake over mine!).

I'm also not planning on ever being a proper collector or breeder, either; I just wanted a pretty little morph who could keep me company in my new empty house, hehe! As such, I joined a bunch of the UK reptile/royal groups on facebook. The perfect snake might jump out at you, like mine did! c:

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Originally Posted by polychromator

I asked this exact question, in exactly the same way, when I started getting serious and looking for my ball python. Now he's coming in December, and I can't wait!

(To stay on topic, I'm planning to start with feeding him in his enclosure, with tongs; when he's hungry or eating I'm not keen on bothering him too much, for his sake over mine!).

I'm also not planning on ever being a proper collector or breeder, either; I just wanted a pretty little morph who could keep me company in my new empty house, hehe! As such, I joined a bunch of the UK reptile/royal groups on facebook. The perfect snake might jump out at you, like mine did! c:

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Same! It's my first pet while living away from my parents so I just wanted a scaly pal.

I've contacted a breeder from around my area who's on YouTube, and I think he'll have one ready for me in the new year. I'm so impatient, I've already started buying things...


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Originally Posted by Neal

Oh, I'm not paying a penny. He's going to give it to me for free.

Where are you getting your BP from, any breeders in mind?

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It's alright for some!

I'm getting mine from Gavin at Balls2U. He's on YouTube and doesn't live far from my parents. Seems like a good guy who really cares for the animals - think that's the most important thing!


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Same! It's my first pet while living away from my parents so I just wanted a scaly pal.

I've contacted a breeder from around my area who's on YouTube, and I think he'll have one ready for me in the new year. I'm so impatient, I've already started buying things...

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Exactly! I'm won't be in a position to get a cat or a dog for a long time yet, but a little someone to come home to is all I need! Plus it means that least once a week I can deploy the, "Oh, sorry, I can't, I have to go home and.... feed my snake?" :'P.

And don't worry, I'm setting up my tank for my arrival in December, and I've already bought him a few little Christmas decorations...

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Originally Posted by polychromator

Exactly! I'm won't be in a position to get a cat or a dog for a long time yet, but a little someone to come home to is all I need! Plus it means that least once a week I can deploy the, "Oh, sorry, I can't, I have to go home and.... feed my snake?" :'P.

And don't worry, I'm setting up my tank for my arrival in December, and I've already bought him a few little Christmas decorations...

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Same, I don't have enough time to look after a dog properly at the moment.

Christmas decorations oh my god! That's so adorable. I might have to get a nice little Easter set up for mine. Don't know how I'll manage that - what snake are you getting?


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Same, I don't have enough time to look after a dog properly at the moment.

Christmas decorations oh my god! That's so adorable. I might have to get a nice little Easter set up for mine. Don't know how I'll manage that - what snake are you getting?


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A ball python, too! The little guy in my icon; he’s an enchi champagne. I’d been planning to wait til January, due to going away a few weeks from now, and I’d seen lots of snakes that made me go, ‘hmmm, maybe I’ll get one like that when the time comes!’. But he caught my eye so much that I just had to send the breeder a message – he’s coming to me in December, and as I’m hosting Christmas for my family in my teeny weeny little flat, there won’t be any worry about leaving him for the season, at least!

Oh my gosh, Easter would be so cute! You could nestle some decorative eggs into the plants of this tank. :)

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Originally Posted by polychromator

A ball python, too! The little guy in my icon; he’s an enchi champagne. I’d been planning to wait til January, due to going away a few weeks from now, and I’d seen lots of snakes that made me go, ‘hmmm, maybe I’ll get one like that when the time comes!’. But he caught my eye so much that I just had to send the breeder a message – he’s coming to me in December, and as I’m hosting Christmas for my family in my teeny weeny little flat, there won’t be any worry about leaving him for the season, at least!

Oh my gosh, Easter would be so cute! You could nestle some decorative eggs into the plants of this tank. :)

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Completely missed that picture! In my office with the brightness down on my phone bc of snoopers. He looks so adorable! You'll have to make a progression thread for him when he arrives - I love those things.

Oh my gosh yes! [emoji23]the Christmas decorations are such a good idea. Do you have a name yet? (I swear some people don't get this excited over having actual children)


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Originally Posted by charlo_lucy

Completely missed that picture! In my office with the brightness down on my phone bc of snoopers. He looks so adorable! You'll have to make a progression thread for him when he arrives - I love those things.

Oh my gosh yes! [emoji23]the Christmas decorations are such a good idea. Do you have a name yet? (I swear some people don't get this excited over having actual children)


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My ball-to-be was going to be Noodle, but I’m not sure that he looks like a Noodle! So other names currently in the air are Sherbet, Chamomile, and various brand names for champagne. :’P

(Last night I had a family friend add me in a group message to let us know that their son, who they had a few months ago, is having his name changed because now he’s born they don’t think he suits it. I SO DESPERATELY had to bite my tongue to stop myself saying, ‘oh, I did that with my snake!’ as if it compares to their literal human offspring, ahah!)

So I have something to add to the conversation that may be in the opposite of popular thought. I was (and am still) in the school of thought of feeding in the enclosure, cage aggression is a myth, it is the best for the snake and me.

Well, my guy has been in my house for a month or two and lately he has been showing signs of hunting or hunger and we discovered that at his weight it was time to switch him to a bigger size rat. So he was very hunt like the other night and we decided to give him a second rat since they are weaned and he should be eating the weight amount of two anyway. He ate twice this week, as soon as yesterday and when we unlocked the top of his cage to give him water and mist, he came out of his hide and went into strike position.

Temps are great, humidity is great, setup is great, the only thing that could be causing him stress is a bit of shed skin that hasn't come off for a week and a half despite raised humidity and a soaking. I doubt that is stressful enough that he is now going into strike mode as soon as we go into the cage.

Is that learned cage aggression? Is he just in a mood lately? What do you all think? I am not about to start feeding in a tub, but it is troublesome that he is acting this way.

My BP used to do that when she was a baby. She would literally stand up like a cobra and look for food every 3 days like clockwork. She ate every 3 days too until about 6 months old. Then it went to 1 week, then 2 weeks and now she doesn't eat during winter by her choice. Your snake is probably hungry. If he isn't out during the day pacing around and try to escape as in he's uncomfortable, I would just feed him more often. He might be going through a growth spurt and just wants more food.

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Originally Posted by polychromator

My ball-to-be was going to be Noodle, but I’m not sure that he looks like a Noodle! So other names currently in the air are Sherbet, Chamomile, and various brand names for champagne. :’P

(Last night I had a family friend add me in a group message to let us know that their son, who they had a few months ago, is having his name changed because now he’s born they don’t think he suits it. I SO DESPERATELY had to bite my tongue to stop myself saying, ‘oh, I did that with my snake!’ as if it compares to their literal human offspring, ahah!)

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Sherbet is such a good name! Definitely suits him.

I think I'll probably wait until I get mine to properly name it. It's all I can do not to bend everyone's ear about it at work. Have to release my excitement on here.


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When I first got my snake, I took her out and fed her in a cardboard box that was small enough to just put the box in the tank afterward and let her crawl out on her own. This worked for a few months, she was only aggressive in the box. And then one day, in winter, it was maybe 20-30ish degrees in the apartment, and she was in her box, wrapped around a mouse. This was nothing new, so I forgot about it and went about a few chores while I waited for her to eat and calm down. 20 minutes in, she was still wrapped around it. Nothing new, she likes to take her time. 40 minutes in, I got a little concerned. 2 hours in, she hadn't budged, and the temperature hadn't gone up any. She'd fallen asleep. I tugged at the mouse a little, she woke up and squeezed it again, went back to sleep a minute later, still wrapped around it. Repeated this a few times. Eventually, I picked her up, mouse and all, and put her back in the tank, near the heat pad. After 10 minutes, she woke up and ate the mouse. That winter got colder, and I stopped feeding with the box altogether. Now she eats in the tank. She has a certain spot she goes to, because food only ever appears there. If she sees a hand and it's not coming from the Food Spot, it's not time to eat. Tamest snake I've ever met.