Opinions on feeding - in the tank or out?

[Emily Hubbard]

Hey all! Tomorrow is going to be my new ball's second feeding day with me. Last week for her first one, I fed her in her tank because she was still adjusting and I figured she would feel more secure eating in her home. But, my plan was to feed her outside in a plastic tub from now on. know the assumption that they will develop a feeding response whenever a hand comes in the cage is largely a myth. The only reason I am considering it is because of my substrate. I use coconut husk, and when I fed her in there, some substrate stuck to the inside of her mouth and I was afraid she wouldn't be able to get it out. But the next day, I actually saw her "yawn" and it was all pink and clean.

So in your opinions, would it be best to feed her outside just to be safe and avoid her eating substrate, or would it be fine to feed her inside where she is most comfortable.

Also, for those of you that do f/t, how do you guys warm your rodents? I have read some people soak them in warm water and leave them damp so the snake gets some water with the meal while others soak and then blow-dry. I have a feeling the answer to this is "what ever works for you" but I am just curious what works for you guys.

[Maixx]

My bp's eat in their enclosures, my Rat snakes eat in dedicated feeding enclosures.

I feed f/t and thaw in ziplock bags in warm water, then re heat to 105-110 deg with a blow drier.

[CoolioTiffany]

Taking them out of their enclosure to feed will stress them out. It's suggested to feed inside the enclosure because you aren't disturbing them to pick them up out of their home to eat. I always feed in the enclosure, there is no need to take them out--they will not associate you with food every time you go in to grab them either.

[heathers*bps]

Taking them out of their enclosure to feed will stress them out. It's suggested to feed inside the enclosure because you aren't disturbing them to pick them up out of their home to eat. I always feed in the enclosure, there is no need to take them out--they will not associate you with food every time you go in to grab them either.

x2

[RestlessRobie]

x2

X3 I only feed one snake out of his enclosure and that is my sons only because some holistic petstore GURU told her it would casue cage agression. But the other 2 are fed in thier enclosure and it works great no problems at all

[mattchibi]

I dont want to sound ignorant here, but I am currently feeding out of the enclosure for my one female. I plan to switch to feeding in their enclosure once I have a rack setup (tubs are more convenient, slide out, feed, slide back in). I am too lazy to move all the hides and fake plants out of her glass tank and I am also really content on her feeding response at the current moment, so I've decided to keep feeding her out of the enclosure until I put her in a rack.

She's never missed a feeding since I've got her in September, in fact she just ate a small rat within 2 seconds of introducing it to her. I feel like feeding out of the enclosure is something that benefits me as an owner, more than it benefits the snake though. And for that reason, I will be switching over soon.

Something interesting is.. I put my hands and arms in front of my snake's mouth and tongue all the time and never have I been mistaken for food. Everytime I feed her, she does NOT hesitate when she smells the rodent, and she will strike lightning fast every time. They have a jacobson's organ as well as their tongue to "smell" their prey. Humans smell nothing like rodents.

[Emily Hubbard]

Thanks everyone, that helps a lot! I'll feed her in her enclosure tomorrow.

[Jessica Loesch]

If you are worried about the substrate, try hanging the food above her a bit so that she cannot get any stuck in her mouth.

[evan385]

In the tank! Do not take a snake out of the tank to feed. That will only stress them out.

[bad-one]

I've done both with multiple snakes and I have to say in the tank/tub. From personal experience less stress = eager feeders