I know I put this in another post with pretty much the same topic, but that post kinda dribbled down to debating and fell off topic, and probably lost a lot of reader, so I just thought I would post it again here to help the people that were actually interested in what is the best way to feed their Ball. Sorry for the repeated posting. I am not tryin to spam, just tryin to inform.

SO trying to go back on to the topic of in tank vs tub feeding:

Some snakes can be aggressive so feeding in a tube is done to try to stop the agressiveness from just general handling. Although you do need to pick it up to put it in the tub, from repitition, it is the tub that lets them know they are going to feed not the hand. But having the sent of food on the hand can make them want to strike it. A downside to tub feeding is handling the snake even just to put it in the tub does have the potential to stess them and put them off food. Also moving them back to the tank after(even with waiting a period of time) can lead them to regurgitate their food. ALso BP's have a natural instinct to feed from their hide. This ability is taken away from them in the tub. You could put a hide in the tub with them but putting a hide in the tub defeats the purpose of moving them to a tub because the hide will still give them the home feeling a little.

Although you can feed a BP in a tub it is always safer and healthier to feed him in his tank. You can easily let him sit for a day in the tank before feeding so he can be relaxed, and you don't have to disturb him after feeding so there is no chance for him to regurgitate his food. Also he will already be in a comfortable temperature in his tank. It is also more natural and instinctual for the snake to feed in his tank.

Like I said before feedin in a tub is to try to stop aggression in snakes during just general handling. But BP's are not aggrassive snakes. There is a very minimal chance a BP will actually bite you (although there is never a zero chance no matter what technique you use). So to worry a BP will have a better chance to bite you because you feed it in the tank is silly. Also it is even easyer for you to feed in his tank because then you don't have to deal with moving him to a tub and putting him back. So it is bennificial for the snake AND you. There is a better chance BP will feed in tank because it is less stressful and more natural for them.

Another way to deal with biting is to develop the Hooking technique. All you do is when you want to handle the snake you give it a little poke with a hook. When you are feeding there is no poke. After time and repitition the snake will learn that poking means NO food is coming and he is just going to be held. THe poking will also give then snake a chance to wake up if he is sleeping. At first the hooking will scare the snake but after time he will learn that it isn't a threat, and it will no longer bother him.


If you want to feed in a tub that, can and generally will, work just fine. It is just safer and better for the snake to be fed in his tank. Both techniques are good and work, but the in tank feeding is just better for the snake. It is your choice which you would prefer to do.

I reccommend in tank feeding with developing the hooking technique. It is just better for you snakes well being. But if you really want to feed in tub, when you first get your snake you should still feed it for a while in the tank. A snake new to a home is under enough stress already. Once he is more used to his home and eatting regularly, then start moving him to a tub if you prefer that way.

If you talk to a lot of snake owner they will most likely use the tub method, because that is what they were told or read to do. If you talk to professinal snake breeders they will most likely use the in tank method, because they know what is better for a snake.

Also your snake is having troubles eating in the tub method, then just try feeding him in tank and that could help. Dangling the mouse in front of the hide with tongs helps too.

Also about substrate:
Having to worry about a snake eatting his substrate is very over exaggerated. As long as you substrate doesn't have too large or sharp peices ingesting a few bits now and then won't be a problem. They will still just pass through their system like everything else. Just think about it, does a snake in the wild have someone to brush off any twigs or rock or dust from their prey? No, they just eat it and poop it all out because the digestive system can do that. Also what is gonna be sharper a small peice of substrate shaving? or a bone, tooth, or claw?
And if you really are worried about the substrate just put a little piece of newspaper down before feeding. BUt really that isn't needed, it would jsut be more to give you a clear head.

And you should always feed your BP Frozen thawed, not live. It is just safer for the snake. It gives zero chance for the prey to harm the snake. Feed live and you could go years without it harming your snake but there is going to be a chance EVERYTIME you feed him that he could get hurt or bit. Body injuries could heal after shedding(but not always), and eye injuries could be very harmful and never heal. A dead prey can never scratch or bite you snake. Why take that chance if you don't have too? Sometimes a snake could refuse to eat unless its live prey but you could and also should ween him off that very easily.