Feed in seperate container

Since I've had my guys I've always fed them in seperate containers than they are housed in just wondering how many of you do the same?

I do the same, it lets me handle her a little more and i don't have to worry about her eating substrate. I also take the time while she is away from home to fix up any messes or whatever in the tank.

I do not. I think it's more stressful to the snake to handle before a feed, and after could cause regurgitation. It's also less stressful for them to eat in their own home and stalk then be put in a random new place and have a rat shoved in their face.
Plus a little substrate ingested isn't an issue.

I think its a matter of opinion. I've had my boy monty for a year and he's never rejected a meal once, neither has my pinny so it works for me. They know whats going on as soon as I put them in the box its kinda cool to see them "transform" into the predators they are.

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Originally Posted by adamsmasher

I think its a matter of opinion. I've had my boy monty for a year and he's never rejected a meal once, neither has my pinny so it works for me. They know whats going on as soon as I put them in the box its kinda cool to see them "transform" into the predators they are.

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I don't necessarily think it is, because I don't think the feeding response should be a pleasurable thing to the owner, nor does it need to be if the animal is stressed out, and could potentially put it in danger.
You also have a much bigger chance at getting tagged when removing the snake from the separate enclosure. ;)

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I don't necessarily think it is, because I don't think the feeding response should be a pleasurable thing to the owner, nor does it need to be if the animal is stressed out, and could potentially put it in danger.
You also have a much bigger chance at getting tagged when removing the snake from the separate enclosure. ;)

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I agree with BC on that one.

I would never feed in a separate container. Not because of any reason other than it does not make sense to me, based on the snakes' needs, and to me that is paramount.

And it is a numbers game. Keeping more than one BP and there are many that if handled the day of feeding will not hit, let alone being transported to and from a holding tub, being FORCED into hunt mode without a hide (ambush predator? What's that?), and then while still in hunt mode (they can stay there for a long time after feeding) being picked up by a potential predator that also smells like food.

Too many variables that do not make sense to me.

Bruce

Ive always feed mine in a seperate enclosure but reading some of the above comment makes me wonder...I first did it (this being my first ball) to avoid the potential for striking reaching in to handle him, and to not allow for the ability to ingest substrate

I dont feel like i should change my ways now since he has never refused a meal nor has he ever struck at me after, which i normally leave him be for 30-40 mins before returning him to his enclosuring supporting the buldge

Why are we onto the third thread for this one?

Nope.

See thread number two on the topic.

bruce

Here's my thoughts on this one:

If you like to feed in a separate enclosure and it works for you....then go for it! No reason not to.

If you like to feed in their own enclosure and it works for you....then go for it! No reason not to.

Each method has its risks and benefits....the risks for either are pretty minor and the ultimate benefit is a snake that eats. It really, really doesn't matter...so long as the snake is eating and the keeper is acting responsibly.

JLC is totally right. I didn't vote on this one.

BPs are generally stressed out very easily, especially when faced with a live rat. Some (mine included) feel insecure while out of their cage and refuse to eat. My Culebra won't even eat if I take her hide away beforehand. And after she kills the rat, she pulls it inside her hide to eat! She's paranoid, I'm telling you!

I don't take them out....I feel that they are most comfortable where they know their own space and are used to. I can reach in their any time and I'm not mistaken for food. In my snake room when I feed one...and the rest are just laying there, within seconds they are all moving around looking for food like hungry piranhas since they smell it. I can reach in and pick one up that hasn't eaten, put it back, and they will take a live rat right out of my hand before it gets to the ground. I haven't been bit yet, and don't plan on it. (knock on wood)

But like it's been stated....whatever works for your situation is the best way.

I am still really new to the world of snakes, so I am just trying to get it all down.

We were feeding seperate, but after the advise given on this thread We decided that the next feeding will be done in her tank.

We have only had one feeding with her, so we do not have much of an opinion on it yet, we are just trying to figure out what works for her.

She is an amazingly calm BP, nothing really seems to bother her. She seems just as comfortable anywhere and in any situation in our home. Me thinks we got pretty lucky with this one.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Here's my thoughts on this one:

If you like to feed in a separate enclosure and it works for you....then go for it! No reason not to.

If you like to feed in their own enclosure and it works for you....then go for it! No reason not to.

Each method has its risks and benefits....the risks for either are pretty minor and the ultimate benefit is a snake that eats. It really, really doesn't matter...so long as the snake is eating and the keeper is acting responsibly.

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Couldn't agree more.

Merged both thread for you :gj:

I just want to clarify, I feed F/T I don't think its a serious of a risk as some say it is but I'm not taking the chance of my snakes being hurt in the process. And why shouldn't the "feeding response" intrigue me. It doesn't "pleasure" me, I'm not a sadist. I do find it remarkable how they have "learned" that when they're in the feeding box its time to eat and their demeanor changes accordingly. If that makes me sick then break out the thorazine. I'm new to this website but sometimes it ticks me off how matters of opinion turn into oppotunities for others to talk in a condescending manner. Sometimes I'm made to feel like I'm an idiot when really I'm just trying to be a more informed and more responsible snake owner. Thanks for your replies

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Originally Posted by adamsmasher

I just want to clarify, I feed F/T I don't think its a serious of a risk as some say it is but I'm not taking the chance of my snakes being hurt in the process. And why shouldn't the "feeding response" intrigue me. It doesn't "pleasure" me, I'm not a sadist. I do find it remarkable how they have "learned" that when they're in the feeding box its time to eat and their demeanor changes accordingly. If that makes me sick then break out the thorazine. I'm new to this website but sometimes it ticks me off how matters of opinion turn into oppotunities for others to talk in a condescending manner. Sometimes I'm made to feel like I'm an idiot when really I'm just trying to be a more informed and more responsible snake owner. Thanks for your replies

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I wasn't intending on being defensive, but you obviously took it that way.
The feeding response for a ball python is often more of a private thing, how would you feel if you were stared at while you ate?
I just don't see the general point of feeding outside of the enclosure, especially to watch the snake eat, when one can do that inside the enclosure just as well without disturbing them. It's our job to take care of our animals the best we can, and any risk in my opinion, is completely unnecessary for the amusement of the owner.
I feed f/t too, but I don't know what that has to do with this.

They don't need a separate enclosure to think that food is coming, thats why most of us pre-scent. ;)

I did at one point feed my snakes in a separate containers, but found that it seemed to stress them out. It would take them longer to get comfortable in the separate container before they would feed. I have now stopped this practice and started feeding them in their cages. They seem more ready to feed, and they take their food much quicker. Now this isn't to say that feeding in a separate container is bad but, I never saw the benefits. My snakes never seem to be more prone to snap at me when I open the cage.

It all comes down to what works for you and your snakes. Some snakes are picky eaters and will only eat under certain conditions. As far as it changing the snakes temperament, I found this to be not true. Hope this helps.

I do not think you have to feel defensive.

We do things differently based on myriad reasons. Someone with one snake is going to do things differently than someone with 40 snakes. A person new to the hobby is going to do it different than someone ten years in... as long as it is working for you, and it is working for your snake, then that is all that matters.

Part of these threads and this dialogue is learning what works, taking from it what you can, and implementing it if it works for you.

As you get into the hobby more you are going to learn so much, but open, learn from others, and keep with what works for you AND your snake.

Just a thought.
Bruce

since i have had my snake (roughly 4ish years, and i only have one) i have tried several attempts at feeding in his tank, however he won't take the rat... but then i put him in the box and ~presto~ he eats...
so.. i guess sometimes its just up to snake
(he's kinda a picky eater...)

I only feed my live feeder in a separate tub. I gives him a little more room to get the mouse without anything in the way.

Currently, I only have 2 snakes ($$ permitting), and have noticed some interesting behaviors concerning feeding. My '07 normal has been fed in a separate container every single meal since I've had him (apr 4/08), except once. Also, this same container is used to house him while performing monthly mega cleans. The behavior I've noticed is this: When it's feeding day, he's on 2 layers of paper towel, the lid goes on (so I can prep the rat), and he immediately gets poised, ready to strike, like he knows what's up. HOWEVER, when I clean his regular cage, he's on 2 layers of paper towel, with NO lid, and he's calm as ever. Also, the one time I fed him in his home, he almost acted confused, and was quite hesitant to strike, no matter what zombie dance moves I tried. It seems as if he has learned this:
tub+lid=food
tub-lid= no food
Home= no food
Has anyone ever conducted any type of psychology experiments with snakes? Like Pavlov's pythons or anything?

All of my snakes eat live, in their enclosures, with tongs. 'Nuff said.

I have only had my Lilith for a short period of time ( a month or so). I was advised to feed her in a separate container, and planned on doing so. As things developed, I didn't end up doing so and just started feeding her in her enclosure. She has yet to refuse a meal. I handle her regularly and she has not shown any signs of mistaking me for food.

My main reason for not going with the original advice was my concern about handling her after eating and regurgitating.

I feed mine in their enclosures. I have 17, so it would be very time consuming to feed each one in seperate enclosures. Also, I feed F/T, so I prescent the room. They all know when feeding day is & they are all ready. So I would not be sticking my hand in their enclosures at that point. They also all know when it is cleaning day, or when I am just handling them for their weekly health check ups. I've been bit once, and it was during cleaning day. But not when I reached in to take her out. She bit me as she was just sitting on my arm.

However, I think it is probably a matter of preference. If your snake does not get stressed out being moved around, then whatever works for you. Just like feeding live vs F/T.

Just to add my experience to this...

I used to feed Stan in a separate container because when I got him the store I bought him from told me to. Even after I came on here and people suggested feeding in the same container I was hesitant to switch since Stan was eating every week and I didn't want to mess that up.

However, this is where the "if it is working" idea kind of come into it - because when Stan went off feed in an attempt to get him to eat again (since he seemed eager in his tank but wouldn't touch the food once he was out) I did try to feed him in the tank and it went GREAT. I got a better feeding response out of him feeding in his tank than I ever got outside of his tank - because normally in his separate container he seemed kind of skittish - not so attacking prey from the safety of his hide.

It's one of those things that is easier for me (than moving him around) and less stressful for him, so I'm glad I switched over.

I Feed mine in a seperate container, but I think I'm going to start feeding in their enclosure. I fed in a seperate container for the main reason that they won't think I'm food when I reach in, but from some of your responses I think that might not be the case.

My vote was for the same container :gj:

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Originally Posted by c.nash

I Feed mine in a seperate container, but I think I'm going to start feeding in their enclosure. I fed in a seperate container for the main reason that they won't think I'm food when I reach in, but from some of your responses I think that might not be the case.

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That was the same thing I thought - but I haven't had any problems since I switched. I've reached in there on feeding day (before pre scenting) and he doesn't think I'm prey.

I've always fed in a separate container (I'm using a large sized rubbermaid container at the moment). I really think it's the best because you don't have to worry about them ingesting substrate and also you're less likely to get bitten because they won't think that every time you reach your hand into their tank they're going to get fed. I understand that if you have a lot of snakes that it's just not feasible to remove every single one. Also, I guess some people have never had a problem with either getting bitten or the snake ingesting substrate...but that's just the way I like to do it.

I don't think my ball would go after me because I think she'd know the difference between food and my hand (the substrate thing is the main reason I do it for her)...but my corn on the other hand would probably be a little overly enthusiastic...she already is even with me taking her out to feed her :D

Heres another recent thread on this topic.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81095

and another..

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=feed+seperate

and another

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=feed+seperate

more

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=feed+seperate

oh and more

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=feed+seperate