Im New:] - Ball Python Info

[Charlie And Lucy]

Welcome! We are fairly new here too, and everyone is great. Super helpful and friendly, you'll really like it here.

We take ours outside for pics and when they're hanging out on our arms or necks and are comfy there. We also feed outside of the enclosure, because when we first got our BP's, we were told it's a must, so we listened to the pet shop. After reading what everyone says on here, if we could do it differently and feed inside, we would. It's better for the snake, but after doing outside of the enclosure for so long, we don't want to stress them out and attempt feeding inside. We've never had a problem feeding outside, but each BP is different. When I say never had a problem, I mean random aggression, biting, attitude changes, any of that kind of stuff. They've gone off feed in December like a lot of other BP's.

Our experience with temperment has been pretty good. Our very first BP tagged me after a meal, and then has tagged her new owner, too. She was a very aggressive feeder, and we were feeding her way too little, but then again, it was the pet store's recommendation, and we thought that being a pet store, they knew everything.

This is the best place to get your info from, IMO. There are breeders here, pet owners, reptile lovers, a whole bunch of great people who give great advice!

[Kaorte]

Sorry but, how on earth will beginning to feed in the home enclosure cuase stress to your snake? We recommned feeding in the enclosure to REDUCE stress.

[NatalieFaye1031]

First: About taking him/her out... thats what i kinda figured:] just wanted to make sure! all that sounds great tho and when i get my new friend i will defiantely post pictures:] especially when i doo eventually take him outside..

I will probably end up feeding in his enclosure if he will cooperate... does seem a lot less stressfull.. i was nervous about handling the snake after feeding to put him back.. i heard they sometimes will regurgitate their food which can be harmful...

soo anyways thanks everyone! if uve got any more info id love to hear it!

[mr. s]

Sorry but, how on earth will beginning to feed in the home enclosure cuase stress to your snake? We recommned feeding in the enclosure to REDUCE stress.

What are you referencing? I don't think anybody misunderstands your point.

[Kaorte]

What are you referencing? I don't think anybody misunderstands your point.

After reading what everyone says on here, if we could do it differently and feed inside, we would. It's better for the snake, but after doing outside of the enclosure for so long, we don't want to stress them out and attempt feeding inside.

[mr. s]

It sounds to me like the snake is so used to it and there have been no problems, that they don't want to change feeding conditions. I agree with that idea. Changing conditions from the normal process of feeding can cause stress.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
There is nothing to suggest that if this snake, which has always eaten outside the enclosure, started eating inside the enclosure that it would be less stressed.

[Kaorte]

It sounds to me like the snake is so used to it and there have been no problems, that they don't want to change feeding conditions. I agree with that idea. Changing conditions from the normal process of feeding can cause stress.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
There is nothing to suggest that if this snake, which has always eaten outside the enclosure, started eating inside the enclosure that it would be less stressed.

Yes, but this person said that they -would- feed in the enclosure but the -can't- because the snake would me -stressed- to feed in the enclosure.

I don't care where you feed your snake, but don't tell me you can't feed it in its enclosure because it isn't used to it and will become stressed as a result. That makes NO sense.

[dr del]

Hi,

Well I think I know what they mean.

When you change anything in a snakes routine it can cause unexpected problems. How many times have we told people that adding new (but better ) hides to the tank can mean the snake needs time to settle back down?

It's not impossible that a snake that is used to being placed in a feeding enclosure on a regular basis to be fed would be uncertain when the routine was suddenly changed.

If you think about it we rely quite heavily on conditioned responses in feeding.

That's why we emphasis keeping the routine and offering in the same way the snake is used to.

I know from personal experience when I stopped feeding one of my snakes in a separate container she didn't eat for the first three or four times and seemed really nervous about the whole procedure.

But once she got used to the new routine she ate happily and has been a bucket for the most part ever since.

In the end it all comes down to the individual snake and how skittish it is - and that is something that everyone needs to learn about their own animal.

It should, broadly speaking, be fine to feed inside the enclosure but animals aren't perfectly predictable.


dr del

[mr. s]

I don't care where you feed your snake, but don't tell me you can't feed it in its enclosure because it isn't used to it and will become stressed as a result. That makes NO sense.

I think both of us agree that we don't care what the other does. I was interpreting the post for you as you seemed to have difficulty understanding it. Nope, and you are right, it makes no sense to say that feeding in the enclosure will stress the snake, that is why I did not even hint at it. I merely said that it would not necessarily make the snake any less stressed to eat there.
The dr. seems to have cleared that up for you hopefully.

[Debris]

Kaorte knows her stuff...so anything she's sayin' I'd listen to...

Oh and 'grats on doing some research before getting one...makes me happy to see people putting an effort into learning about their new snakes...especially first time owners...I think alot of people don't understand the housing requirements and such...they think "oh I have other pets, so I'm fine"....my friend a dog or cat is just not a snake. Lol

Let's see some pics when you get one!