feeding: in or out

[The Letch]

My wife and I will be picking up our first BP this weekend! I've been able to get most of my questions answered by reading and talking to folks at different shops but I find myself a bit confused on a point or two that I feel should be addressed before we bring him home.

We've been told that we should not feed our BP in his regular enclosure as this imprints my hands coming into the cage with a trigger for food source... BUT... I've read that moving a python to a special feeding enclosure could cause him not to want to feed. So, what's the consensus? Once I've gotten him to eat (assuming a separate feeding enclosure) how long should I leave him alone til I put him back into his regular home?

Great site, BTW. Very informative.

[Wh00h0069]

I feed all of mine in their enclosures. I feel that removing them from their enclosures to feed will increase stress, and the likelihood of being bitten.

Hope this helps.

[truthsdeceit]

Feed in the enclosure, saves on time, less hassle, and the snake feels more secure and therefore more likely to eat.

Use a pair of tongs... that way your hand isn't going into the enclosure so there is nothing to worry about.

Be sure that feeding time isn't the only time you open the tank, you need to occasionally handle, do cage maintenance, ect. This way the snake doesn't associate opening the tank with getting food.

Wash your hands really well after touching rodents so you don't smell like food.

And the last issue people have with feeding in the enclosure is the danger of swallowing substrate. Occasionally a bp will strike wrong and get substrate in it's mouth. A small piece isn't going to hurt him but be on hand with tongs to pull any large pieces out of his mouth. If you see pieces getting stuck to the food you should try to pull these off to. It's a low chance of it hurting him but if you see it then try to fix it.

Hope the helps.

[Kaorte]

Yeah just feed in the enclosure. You shouldn't be waving your hand around in the snake cage during feeding time anyway. If you are using F/t then use tongs. You can even use tongs with live by grabbing at the scruff of the neck. Might be a little harder to hold on to though.

[LawfulChaos]

I feed in seperate enclosure, probably not a big deal with ball pythons becoming cage agressive but i do it anyways. I use a shoe box and close it so she feels completely secure. With a new ball python it can be a little of an issue, when i first got her she was a little picky but now no problems. I think you are more likely to be bitten by cage feeding, she might mistake you reaching in to pick her up as feeding time. While if you put her in a special enclosure (Which will eventually smell of mouse or rat) she will know that it is feeding time.

If you use a seperate enclosure, you can put him back in his normal enclosure once hes completely ate the mouse, he will most likely be moving around, just be gentle and set him back in his enclosure next to his hide.

[stratus_020202]

I feed in the enclosure too. I make sure to handle my snake every day, except feeding day and two days after that. They can usually learn the routine you put them on, as long as it is consistant. Mine knows when it is feeding day. She's waiting in the middle of the aquarium. lol. I can still get her out, even on feeding day. Just make sure you don't smell like mouse or rat when you do. lol. that might confuse them a little.

[LawfulChaos]

That reminds me if you do put her in a container or shoe box to feed her, wash your hands before you try and move her back you dont want her to smell you fingers thinking its time for another mouse.

I dont keep my snake on a regular feeding schedule, I feed her approximately once a week, but its not always the same day or same time period between feeds. So, she is never expecting feeding so she never acts like she wants to eat my hand lol.

[grim reaper in NY]

I also use long forceps to dangle the rat in the tank. I do not touch the rats at all with my hands unless I have disposable rubber gloves on. Prevention is paramount when it comes to keep from being mistaken for food. Plus, with the forceps I can actually tease my pets a bit more without fear of being struck.
The key is to not get careless and in a hurry when feeding your snake. When you do, that's when you'll slip up and "BANG!!!!" you'll get bit real quick.

[LawfulChaos]

Its funny you say that grim, I hold the mouse by the tail and dangle it in front of her, but forceps are safer, young ball pythons are not know for their good aim and its possible they could get you instead. I believe I read a post by someone saying their ball python actually wrapped around his hand when it missed the mouse, and it was painful, that was when they were using forceps. So, just be aware when feeding your snake and watch its body language, and dont worry a baby ball python bite wont hurt.

[grim reaper in NY]

it doesn't take much for a python's squeezing to break and burst blood vessels when it starts constricting. The resulting bruising and pain can make quite and impression, that's for sure. Another good resason to have a bottle of alcohol nearby at all times. The aroma of the alcohol will make the snake release it's grip 99% of the time.