Feeding in it's tank? Bad idea? Good Idea?

I heard from Spaniard that the whole "Don't feed your python in it's tank" is a myth. (because it will associate you opening the tank with feeding time) Just wanted more opinions on the subject.

It's a myth. All you are doing is stressing your snake when you move him to a different enclosure.

Think of it logically, if it can associate the tank being opened with food, then the same association could be made when the tank being opened to move the snake to another enclosure.

But since its a myth none of those happen :)

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Originally Posted by bpkid

It's a myth. All you are doing is stressing your snake when you move him to a different enclosure.

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True but sometimes its an effective way to get troublesome or shy eaters to eat.

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Originally Posted by Shaffer

I heard from Spaniard that the whole "Don't feed your python in it's tank" is a myth. (because it will associate you opening the tank with feeding time) Just wanted more opinions on the subject.

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As long as you are entering your snakes cage routinely for cleaning and fresh water as well as handling regularly, feeding in the enclosure is fine.

If the ONLY time you go into your snakes cage is to feed, then you might have some problems .... but if that's the case, you deserve them. :sweeet:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

True but sometimes its an effective way to get troublesome or shy eaters to eat.

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How so?

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

How so?

-adam

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I shall answer this from my own experience as I have indeed had success with "problem" feeders by moving during feeding time to a box that is small and dark and they have ate every time. For me I find it tends to induce a feeding response which is the intention with any problem feeder.

Most of mine eat in their enclosure fine but I have had some that simply would show no interest at all in their own enclosure. At times like these I look to offer an alternative and moving my snakes into a small box with a warm heated f/t Mouse has proved to be very effective with problem feeders.

I simply allow them half an hour or so to eat then gently place them back in their own enclosure and off they go to their warm hide to digest.

sometimes it pays to improvise and do something a bit different and if it works and you have a healthy snake that is eating and growing and doing well then its a plus.

I will add however this is a very infrequent thing for me to have to do but I am happy to get them eating even if that entails moving them for a very short period.

thats my experience of it anyway.:)

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

How so?

-adam

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Yea what he said:sweeet:

Seeing as how Andy was the person who offered me the idea, which i must add worked with my recently shy male, I'll let his answer speak for the both of us.

I don't plan on making this routine, but if he won't take in his enclosure and he will in the box then box it is. But I prefer feeding in the enclosure, b/c of the stress related issues.

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Originally Posted by snakey68

I shall answer this from my own experience as I have indeed had success with "problem" feeders by moving during feeding time to a box that is small and dark and they have ate every time. For me I find it tends to induce a feeding response which is the intention with any problem feeder.

Most of mine eat in their enclosure fine but I have had some that simply would show no interest at all in their own enclosure. At times like these I look to offer an alternative and moving my snakes into a small box with a warm heated f/t Mouse has proved to be very effective with problem feeders.

I simply allow them half an hour or so to eat then gently place them back in their own enclosure and off they go to their warm hide to digest.

sometimes it pays to improvise and do something a bit different and if it works and you have a healthy snake that is eating and growing and doing well then its a plus.

I will add however this is a very infrequent thing for me to have to do but I am happy to get them eating even if that entails moving them for a very short period.

thats my experience of it anyway.:)

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It just means that the snake needs more security to feed .... the same thing can be done "in" the enclosure if it's set up properly for the snake ... small tight hides, crumpled paper, etc ... no need for an additional box.

-adam

I agree Adam,

I have since then changed my viv set up completely. Sub-ing out my hides that look nice with those black rectangular hides that seem to have made my snakes quite cozy. I think its going to help give them a big bump in security.

I acknowledge fully that my need to feed in a separate enclosure was due to a husbandry issue that I hopefully have corrected. Like I said I like feeding in the enclosure and my goal is to have a regularly feeding snake in its home enclosure.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

True but sometimes its an effective way to get troublesome or shy eaters to eat.

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My BP will only eat live so I feed him in a seperate enclosure so that when the rat lets loose with his bodily functions the mess is easier to cleanup.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

It just means that the snake needs more security to feed .... the same thing can be done "in" the enclosure if it's set up properly for the snake ... small tight hides, crumpled paper, etc ... no need for an additional box.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

-adam

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I respect your opinion Adam however it doesn't "always work" mate, so I will dissagree with you there, some snakes dont follow the rules and however much you try to make them feel more secure in their enclosure some occasionally will frustratingly refuse ...uncommon though but it can happen.

I have been feeding F/T for over 20 years and 99% of the time they eat in their enclosure with a very small minority occasionally requiring the small box.

I know you feed primarily "live" so this may or may not be a factor in your observation as the mechanics of eating are the same but the process somewhat different invoking a different type of feeding response (eg) live moving prey to a static heated up one.

My point mainly is even if you have the set up great etc sometimes they wont eat for whatever reason ( there are many) and a box is a good alternative to try for people who are getting frustrated at having a snake refusing etc ( see Spaniard for example )

I will stick to what I know works for me in this instance but I am glad you find your method works for you, at the end of the day as long as we have healthy snakes doing well and eating thats the main thing and I can see by examples of specimens you have shared your doing very well .:gj:

Personally I figure if you reach your goal of a snake eating consistently and aggressively, growing well, etc. it's probably much like all other feeding decisions...based on your preference and what works for that particular snake.

I feed my ball in his tank because he won't eat unless he's in there. The other three of my snakes I feed in another container with out any problems.
I think it depends on the snake.

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Originally Posted by snakey68

I respect your opinion Adam however it doesn't "always work" mate

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Does for me, and I've got a lot of balls (pythons).

Hope this helps. ;)

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Does for me, and I've got a lot of balls (pythons).

Hope this helps. ;)

-adam

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Do you think you would have the same success with F/T? I know its not realistic with a collection your size but just curious.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Do you think you would have the same success with F/T? I know its not realistic with a collection your size but just curious.

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I used to feed F/T and never had a problem either, although it took a lot more work ... a ball python that is warm and secure and not over fed will eat every time it wants to ... I've never had the need for a "feeding box" to get er done.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I used to feed F/T and never had a problem either, although it took a lot more work ... a ball python that is warm and secure and not over fed will eat every time it wants to ... I've never had the need for a "feeding box" to get er done.

-adam

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You never had a refusal? If yes, did you wait untill next feed with success?

When you say a lot more work what do you mean?

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

You never had a refusal?

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Refusals don't mean anything to me .... it's the overall pattern of eating that must be understood ... I have some snakes that prefer to eat less often than others ... because they are each individual living creatures, each and every snake is different.


-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Refusals don't mean anything to me .... it's the overall pattern of eating that must be understood ... I have some snakes that prefer to eat less often than others ... because they are each individual living creatures, each and every snake is different.


-adam

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I think I follow...

Snake A eats once a week with out fail a small rat lets say.

Snake B seems to be showing a trend where he likes to feed on a small rat every 2 weeks.

Do you adjust to each snakes rythm and offer snake B every 2 weeks or do you still attempt a feed every week? Sorry for so many questions.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Do you adjust to each snakes rythm and offer snake B every 2 weeks or do you still attempt a feed every week?

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It really depends .... I do my best to "read" my snakes as well as analyze their pattern and offer appropriately ... but, being live animals and not DVD players, they tend to not always do things the way the manual says .... it's best to learn to listen to your animals and adjust as you need to. ;)

-adam

Thanks Adam,

I can tell from your answers that you're very much for people developing their own methods for caring for their snakes, while offering good advice yet not telling people exactly what to do. Now thats an art in itself; can we get a Yoda smiley for Adam? ;)

Thanks for your replies, puts the whole feeding thing in a different view.

You da man:gj:

Great thread! This is something that I've heard 1/2 my life....(feeding out of a tank).... This is what works for me.... I have containers (seperate of course) that I put my 3 BRB and my lil' BP into while they eat. As mentioned above- this allows me to inspect the whole enclosure, change bedding, water, or do whatever is needed w/ out disturbing the snake every time.... Now, that being said- My BCC (who is a LTC, gettin pretty large, and a :cens0r: at times) WILL not eat out of her tank. So I do remove her, but for obvious diffrent reasons. She will only take fresh killed rats. BUT!!! Only after dark! So I feed in the latest afternoon hrs. possible. So, yea- I just wanted to throw all that in! LOL :D

What I thought would be just maybe a few responses, has turned into an interesting thread. Thanks for all the advice.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Does for me, and I've got a lot of balls (pythons).

Hope this helps. ;)

-adam

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Glad it works for you ....lol, and I wasn't really asking for any help either I was explaining what I do.... but thanks for the offer anyway.:D my saying it "doesn't always work" its is aimed in general not at you in particular. I think its great you have a routine that works for you.

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they tend to not always do what the manual says ....its best to learn to listen to your animals and adjust as you need to

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couldn't agree more ;) adjust when required and do what works for you and your snake.

Spot on my friend.

As you say, each and every snake is different thats part of the fascination as well for me.

joanna ( oh wise one ) your comment is spot on "based" on what your preference is and what works for your snake :) ................. if they are eating , shedding ,growing and healthy what more can we ask.

peace.

I feed all of our snakes in their cages. The only one who i really need to watch regarding this, is my BCI. I went through a period in which we were pretty busy and didn't have much time for handling, and he got a little "fresh" when you opened the cage; thought it was feeding time. So I started handling him more, and it has made him calmer; still eats like a champ though!
I never had these problems with my BPs; even my "nasty" male will just ball up and hiss when removed, but he never thinks I am food. He is just one of those snakes yo have to "read" though.

i have one reason for feeding outside their main tub. i keep my balls on paper towels, and sometimes they make a mess when they eat(they hold onto the food to long and it gets something on the towels). to try and follow the rule about not handling for 48 hours after feeding i do not feed in the encloser, because i don't want this mess to be there that long. if you feed in the main encloser, and they make a mess while eating then you have to remove the ball and clean. so, i just make it a routine to move each one over to a feeding tub, one at a time of course, and after it's completly taken it's food i put it back into it's tub. this also alows for a complete tank cleaning on a regular basis. i have had absolutly no feeding problems, in fact my male het pied seems to know he's going to eat and is ready and waiting on sat mornings.

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Originally Posted by snakey68

joanna ( oh wise one ) your comment is spot on "based" on what your preference is and what works for your snake :) ................. if they are eating , shedding ,growing and healthy what more can we ask.

peace.

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Me? Wise? LOL Anyway, I figure what works.....works. Heck I have f/t and live mice eaters now in our small collection. Would I rather they ate like the majority of our BP's...sure...easier for me. But those particular snakes have shown me what they want is what they want - I don't clue into that - they don't eat. I'd be a fool to argue the point, stress the snake and end up with a non-eater when our adjustment in prey type or method of feeding is all that's needed to accomplish the goal of a happy, well fed snake and happy humans tending them.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

I feed all of our snakes in their cages. The only one who i really need to watch regarding this, is my BCI. I went through a period in which we were pretty busy and didn't have much time for handling, and he got a little "fresh" when you opened the cage; thought it was feeding time. So I started handling him more, and it has made him calmer; still eats like a champ though!
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I had the exact same problem with my Bloods ..lol nearly got me to, the big male did...same solution as you worked a treat. :) although some people think Bloods are just typically like that ...its simply not true .they can be both ...:halohorn:

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Great thread! This is something that I've heard 1/2 my life....(feeding out of a tank).... This is what works for me.... I have containers (seperate of course) that I put my 3 BRB and my lil' BP into while they eat. As mentioned above- this allows me to inspect the whole enclosure, change bedding, water, or do whatever is needed w/ out disturbing the snake every time.... Now, that being said- My BCC (who is a LTC, gettin pretty large, and a :cens0r: at times) WILL not eat out of her tank. So I do remove her, but for obvious diffrent reasons. She will only take fresh killed rats. BUT!!! Only after dark! So I feed in the latest afternoon hrs. possible. So, yea- I just wanted to throw all that in! LOL :D

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3 BRBs and a BP eat in the same enclosure together?!?!???!! That's what it sounded like. :O

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Originally Posted by bpkid

3 BRBs and a BP eat in the same enclosure together?!?!???!! That's what it sounded like. :O

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Great thread! This is something that I've heard 1/2 my life....(feeding out of a tank).... This is what works for me.... I have containers (seperate of course) that I put my 3 BRB and my lil' BP into while they eat. As mentioned above- this allows me to inspect the whole enclosure, change bedding, water, or do whatever is needed w/ out disturbing the snake every time.... Now, that being said- My BCC (who is a LTC, gettin pretty large, and a :cens0r: at times) WILL not eat out of her tank. So I do remove her, but for obvious diffrent reasons. She will only take fresh killed rats. BUT!!! Only after dark! So I feed in the latest afternoon hrs. possible. So, yea- I just wanted to throw all that in! LOL :D

Nooo..... That's why I put "(seperate of course)".... see above! ;)

Oh, lol. I was just making sure.

It's all good! ;) (That would be a sight though).... lol!

Yeah it would! At the show I saw a boa eat, a ball python eat AND a corn snake eat IN THE SAME TANK!!!! :O :O

WOW! I'd never try to pull that off.... my BCC would A. eat em' all.... or B. Roll over and never eat again! lol

I can't beleive they were eating! You would think they wouldn't due to stress.