bp rack feeding problem

Hello folks,

Ive had a ball python for about a year, and recently got a female as well. Upgraded to a nice rack and have had no problems with it at all. The only issue i seem to have, which continues to worsen as the male gets larger is that when I open up the drawer when its time to eat, he pops out very quickly. Full hunt mode, half of his body hanging out of the rack. This happened last night and I didnt know what to do. I didnt want to offer him the mouse while he was so far extended out of the enclosure. At the same time, I cant push him back in to the rack or anything or Im going to get hit. The only thing I could think of last night to get him to go back into the rack was to mist him. This worked, but its not something id like to make a habit of. Furthermore, going in to handle him seems like a roll of the dice. He seems to always want to eat, and once the heat of my hand comes near, he thinks its time.

Any suggestions? I really dont want to have another feeding experience like last night, it wasnt cool.

Thanks

have you tried just moveing himin with your hand or is he realy agressive if he is deffo gonni take a goat you then maybe a hook

just a few questions
dose he do this all the time and are you presencting him

I have a few who will come out before I drop a rat in, but I've never been bit. Sometimes if it's one that's known to shoot out I'll grab it and put it back inside, then I'll get a rat and drop it in. If I already have the rat in hand I'll just drop it into the bin and the snakes usually turn around and go back inside to eat. If you really think that he would bite you, have a small plastic shoe box or a small flower pot handy, and use it to guide him back into the tub as you are dropping the rat in. Once they know there is food in the bin, they forget about coming out and go back to eat.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

I have a few who will come out before I drop a rat in, but I've never been bit. Sometimes if it's one that's known to shoot out I'll grab it and put it back inside, then I'll get a rat and drop it in. If I already have the rat in hand I'll just drop it into the bin and the snakes usually turn around and go back inside to eat. If you really think that he would bite you, have a small plastic shoe box or a small flower pot handy, and use it to guide him back into the tub as you are dropping the rat in. Once they know there is food in the bin, they forget about coming out and go back to eat.

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well, i am feeding frozen and have always dangled the mice for them. the whole drop thing has worked on some occasions, but not always. though, with the recent behavior, i think its probably my best bet..

Ahh, f/t. If he'll take it off the floor, then you shouldn't have any worries. If he only goes for the tongs, just try getting him back inside the tub like I mentioned, before you have the rat in your hand. A thin leather glove will hide the heat from your hand too, and protect you from teeth.

Sounds like an awesome feeding response!

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Originally Posted by Snakes_in_a_shed

have you tried just moveing himin with your hand or is he realy agressive if he is deffo gonni take a goat you then maybe a hook

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Umm, have YOU tried moving a snake that's in feed mode before with your hand? Get back with us on that one when you've tried it! :P

I have some that do that also, I usually just tap them on the head (gently of course) with one of those hatchling extendable hooks....they usually go back into the tub, then the rat gets dropped in....

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Umm, have YOU tried moving a snake that's in feed mode before with your hand? Get back with us on that one when you've tried it! :P

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Its more fun than a Barrel of Monkeys.. :banana:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Umm, have YOU tried moving a snake that's in feed mode before with your hand? Get back with us on that one when you've tried it! :P

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I have! I didn't enjoy the result! :)

I have several that will shoot out of their bin each week. I always pull the bin open far enough that I can toss the rodent in behind them. If they don't turn around I use the snake hook to kind of re situate them so i can push the drawer closed.

If you're feeding f/t. invest in a LONG pair of tongs for those crazy feeding adults. :)

Try feeding that snake first before the smell of the rat has a chance to really get in the room. All of my hatchlings come out of the tub after the rat if given a chance. You just have to be quick with some of them.

My adult granite female is like that. I have to use a 6qt tub lid to push her far enough in so I can toss the mouse in the tub(she's in a 41qt). Even still, she tries to strike and bite at the lid, LOL, so I'm not about to reach anywhere near her to push her back in. Just something fun to deal with ;)

What about just getting another tub to feed in? Put them snake in there then go get the mouse.

A feeding tub for that caliber of feeding response is just asking to get bit. I would just suggest longer tongs and possibly a glove to hide the warmth from your hand.

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Originally Posted by Karma

What about just getting another tub to feed in? Put them snake in there then go get the mouse.

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How is that any different for a snake with an awesome feed response? I know I'm not going in any of my snakes' enclosures on feeding day - they're conditioned so well, that they know when it's feeding day.

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Originally Posted by Karma

What about just getting another tub to feed in? Put them snake in there then go get the mouse.

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Sounds like a good idea to get tag, when you have a snake with a strong feeding response.

My snakes know when it is feeding day and they have a very good feeding response, so good I would not dare mess around in their enclosure on feeding day.

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Originally Posted by Karma

What about just getting another tub to feed in? Put them snake in there then go get the mouse.

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So, feeding in a seperate box decreases the likelihood of being bitten? Feeding in the cage, I don't have to handle the snake at all. Feeding outside of the cage, I have to take him out of the cage, offer the rodent, and then put him back when he's done eating, and then say that doing so will prevent the snake from associating me with food? It makes no sense whatsoever.

(I'm not trying to pick on you, more so just trying to dispel the myth that feeding in a seperate box "decreases aggression")

Eh.. just an idea. Just use a hook or tongs, stay back, and feed first.... what everyone else said.

I know that this sounds funny but I actually ordered one of the Ove-Gloves. It's kinda like a kevlar glove that will protect you from bites and heat. I got one as I just started getting into hot snakes. I have found even with my BP's that it's the speed of the strike that scares you and makes you sling your still attached snake across the room, not the pain. So with the glove I have had success as it masks the heat of your hand and mentally prepares you for a bite as you have a "safety net" now that said don't go handling venomous snakes with a glove and then get bit on the face and say Rob told me it was OK!:rolleye2: