substrate question

I think my BP ate a small piece of aspen subtrate today while eating, will this cause problems for my snake ?

Nope, not at all. Unless it was a huge chunk or something that looks like it would puncture major organs if you catch my drift...

If you think it's going to pose a problem, you can always opt to feed it in a separate tank like I do...

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Originally Posted by Pandora

Nope, not at all. Unless it was a huge chunk or something that looks like it would puncture major organs if you catch my drift...

If you think it's going to pose a problem, you can always opt to feed it in a separate tank like I do...

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well i dont think it was that big of a chunk of aspen to puncture him so hope he will take it like a champ. I was thinkin about gettin a tub just for feeding, do you put your snake back home right after eating or you wait a while ?

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

well i dont think it was that big of a chunk of aspen to puncture him so hope he will take it like a champ. I was thinkin about gettin a tub just for feeding, do you put your snake back home right after eating or you wait a while ?

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Basically, I make sure to do my best to distinguish between 'handling' and feeding time.
I don't handle them several hours before feeding. My girl probably wouldn't notice the difference but I like keeping a schedule that way. I get them out, put them straight in a tub lined with paper towel (her bites get bloody sometimes and if I feed live, the rodents have an act for pooping) and feed them in there. Once they're done completely "swallowing" and start moving around a bit, I carefully pick them up with both hands supporting their weight and put them back in their tanks. Never had any issues with regurgitation or signs of the snakes being uncomfortable. When I feed them in the tanks, the rodents get COVERED in aspen; even if it might not necessarily harm them, I feed them outside their tanks. I don't think anybody would like dirt or aspen chips on their food :P

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Originally Posted by Pandora

Basically, I make sure to do my best to distinguish between 'handling' and feeding time.
I don't handle them several hours before feeding. My girl probably wouldn't notice the difference but I like keeping a schedule that way. I get them out, put them straight in a tub lined with paper towel (her bites get bloody sometimes and if I feed live, the rodents have an act for pooping) and feed them in there. Once they're done completely "swallowing" and start moving around a bit, I carefully pick them up with both hands supporting their weight and put them back in their tanks. Never had any issues with regurgitation or signs of the snakes being uncomfortable. When I feed them in the tanks, the rodents get COVERED in aspen; even if it might not necessarily harm them, I feed them outside their tanks. I don't think anybody would like dirt or aspen chips on their food :P

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Agree with you 100%. I do the exact same at feeding time and have had no issues at all. In fact my breeder recommended I feed this way. I wait until the mouse has settled into the biggest part of the stomach before moving her back into the tank.

I just recently changed to a flat substrate because I had to pick a piece of spaghram moss outta' the side of my boy's mouth. The flat substrate is easier all the way around.

You can also place paper towels over the aspen shavings if you don't have a separate feeding enclosure.

I originally fed in tank but switched to a feeding enclosure when my BP refused two meals because of aspen shavings getting in her mouth.

But then just recently I switched back to feeding in tank w/ paper towels after reading many in tank vs. out tank feeding debates.

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

You can also place paper towels over the aspen shavings if you don't have a separate feeding enclosure.

I originally fed in tank but switched to a feeding enclosure when my BP refused two meals because of aspen shavings getting in her mouth.

But then just recently I switched back to feeding in tank w/ paper towels after reading many in tank vs. out tank feeding debates.

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maybe ill try that out next time

his eyes actually got opaque tonight i feed him during the day and they werent opaque seems sheedin time is coming .. this is actually my first time going through sheddin process this is my first snake. :rolleyes: ive read you shouldnt feed them during this process, so i might have to try out that feeding method after the shedding.

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

ive read you shouldnt feed them during this process, so i might have to try out that feeding method after the shedding.

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Nope, you can go ahead and offer food. Some will take it and some won't. But if yours doesn't then no biggy, just feed once the shed is over!

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

Nope, you can go ahead and offer food. Some will take it and some won't. But if yours doesn't then no biggy, just feed once the shed is over!

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if i offer it and he does not eat it do i try the next day ? or wait till the next feeding day (tuesdays) for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

You can also place paper towels over the aspen shavings if you don't have a separate feeding enclosure.

I originally fed in tank but switched to a feeding enclosure when my BP refused two meals because of aspen shavings getting in her mouth.

But then just recently I switched back to feeding in tank w/ paper towels after reading many in tank vs. out tank feeding debates.

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We place a paper towel of brown paper on the floor of the enclosure. I also remove the water dish because our BP seems to like to "dunk" his food. We do this as a ritual and our BP has already started to associate with feeding. We do not handle the day of, or the day after feedings.

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Originally Posted by keepzrollin

if i offer it and he does not eat it do i try the next day ? or wait till the next feeding day (tuesdays) for me.

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I'd recommend waiting until the next feeding day or even until the shed is over if you believe the shed is what caused the refusal.

From what I've read, if a snake refuses a meal for whatever reason you should always wait until the next feeding day to try again. Shoving food into a BPs face everyday that doesn't want to eat is a sure way to keep him off feeding!