Multiple Pet BP Owners- Feeding Question

[Jcd5v]

So now that I have multiple snakes I have kind of a weird question that I’d like some opinions on (sometimes I think too much into things). So I have an approximately 2 year old male and 2 juvenile snakes. I will be feeding the 2 juveniles every week while feeding the adult every 2 weeks. I figure it is highly possible that when I’m feeding the juveniles it will put my adult into feeding mode. Has anyone noticed this? Do you wait a few days after feeding the juveniles (but not feeding the adult) before handling the adult? I guess it ultimately depends on the individual snake since some snakes can stay in feeding mode a few days after eating, but wanted some input on your own experiences. Does anyone hook train to avoid something like this and has that been beneficial? I open my tubs/ tanks every day and mist or just check on the snakes (not so much with the new baby bc I don’t want to stress her out) so that they don’t associate me opening the enclosure with food as well.

Anyway, what have you more experienced owners observed?


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[Dianne]

I don’t handle any of my snakes on feeding day, even those not eating that day. While I’ve never had an issue with most my ball pythons, my boa is locked and loaded when she smells prey. Piper (pied bp) is an exception to the rest, she’s an eating machine and thinks everything coming in the cage is food. If rats/mice are thawing, I feel it’s better safe than sorry. As for hook training, yes, I hook train all my snakes. It prevents misunderstandings. The bp’s aren’t really big enough to really hurt, but I prefer to avoid bites when I can. Usually everyone is fine by the next day.

[Jcd5v]

I don’t handle any of my snakes on feeding day, even those not eating that day. While I’ve never had an issue with most my ball pythons, my boa is locked and loaded when she smells prey. Piper (pied bp) is an exception to the rest, she’s an eating machine and thinks everything coming in the cage is food. If rats/mice are thawing, I feel it’s better safe than sorry. As for hook training, yes, I hook train all my snakes. It prevents misunderstandings. The bp’s aren’t really big enough to really hurt, but I prefer to avoid bites when I can. Usually everyone is fine by the next day.

Thanks for sharing your method! In your opinion, is the hook training an immediate response or is it more of a learned response? Is the first time effective or do they have to learn what it means?


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[Dianne]

Thanks for sharing your method! In your opinion, is the hook training an immediate response or is it more of a learned response? Is the first time effective or do they have to learn what it means?


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I think the hook training is more a learned response, though I think some snakes pick it up quicker than others. That said, I believe some of that is probably a direct result of the strength of their feeding response rather than intelligence. My female boa was an absolute must for hook training, incredible food response as a juvenile, so I wanted the training in place well before adulthood. I’ve kept a number of different species over the years, but implemented hook training for all of them for consistency.

Piper is the only ball python I have that really needs the hook training. She’s just a 2018 hatchling, so it isn’t like she’s large enough to hurt, but she strikes everything coming into the cage unless I touch her with the hook first. Speaking of which, you typically aren’t using the hook alone to pick up or move a snake. It’s more to touch the snake, move a hide, and/or generally let the snake know there isn’t food coming. At most I’ll use the hook to gently nudge a snake closer to the enclosure door or to help support part of the body for my boa as she’s cruising away from me.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Here is an easy solution feed everyone on the same day and problem solved, whether it's and hatchling, Juvy or adult.

If you feed everyone on the same day it will established a specific routine and the animals will only be looking for food and be in feed mode that day.

I don't hook train it's a bit over killed with a BP

[Jcd5v]

I think the hook training is more a learned response, though I think some snakes pick it up quicker than others. That said, I believe some of that is probably a direct result of the strength of their feeding response rather than intelligence. My female boa was an absolute must for hook training, incredible food response as a juvenile, so I wanted the training in place well before adulthood. I’ve kept a number of different species over the years, but implemented hook training for all of them for consistency.

Piper is the only ball python I have that really needs the hook training. She’s just a 2018 hatchling, so it isn’t like she’s large enough to hurt, but she strikes everything coming into the cage unless I touch her with the hook first. Speaking of which, you typically aren’t using the hook alone to pick up or move a snake. It’s more to touch the snake, move a hide, and/or generally let the snake know there isn’t food coming. At most I’ll use the hook to gently nudge a snake closer to the enclosure door or to help support part of the body for my boa as she’s cruising away from me.

That makes a lot of sense. I think I’m going to implement this with mine. I’ve watched some videos on it previously, but I hadn’t really decided whether or not I would need/ want to do it, but it’s not like it will hurt as long as it is done properly (which I will make sure I’m doing). Thanks for sharing your experience with me!


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[Jcd5v]

Here is an easy solution feed everyone on the same day and problem solved, whether it's and hatchling, Juvy or adult.

If you feed everyone on the same day it will established a specific routine and the animals will only be looking for food and be in feed mode that day.

I don't hook train it's a bit over killed with a BP

So do you feed your adult BP’s every week? The previous owner only fed every 2-4 weeks so I don’t want to feed him too often and possibly put him off of food.


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[Stewart_Reptiles]

So do you feed your adult BP’s every week? The previous owner only feed every 2-4 weeks so I don’t want to feed him too often and possibly put him off of food.


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Yes I do they do a lot better on smaller preys weekly versus larger prey by weekly or monthly, it's a lot easier on them.

[Jaguar63122]

Mine are on different feeding patterns and yes my adult BP can smell when I’m feeding the juveniles. He comes out looking for food! I currently do not have on same days ..... but I like that idea and will be implementing it very soon. Thanks for the suggestion. I feed all weekly unless someone refuses food. I have never had anyone refuse food more than 1 week.


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[Craiga 01453]

I don't feed all of mine the same day. I break it up so I always have somebody to hang out with.
I've never had any issues with handling one who wasn't fed that day when the others were, though I generally feed right before bed, so I don't handle the others since it's bedtime. I have fed earlier in the night and handled another snake that night with no problem.

As for hook training, it's really overkill with such a docile species like BPs, but if it makes you comfortable go for it.