feeding: in or out

[LawfulChaos]

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.

Good thing I got a fridge full of beer on stand by, lol.

[grim reaper in NY]

Isopropyl alcohol, my friend! LOL...

[The Letch]

Wow, you guys are great. I posted this, popped over to MartialTalk for just a little while and come back to two pages of great information. I prefer the idea of feeding inside the normal enclosure with the precautions that you've all listed. As I understand it BPs can be picky eaters at times and susceptible to stress at all times so moving to another box to feed just seems like unnecessary stress. We're spending the week getting the enclosure set up and will be bringing him home this weekend. He's just finished a shed and the folks that have him want to feed him one last time before the move so that he'll have a full belly while getting used to his new home.

So, to summarize:
1:no need to move for feeding
2:use tongs to offer food
3:use gloves or wash hands well when/after handling food source
4:the more regular the feeding schedule the better
5:handle your snake often

[grim reaper in NY]

Smart move to feed him before the move. I just fed mine for the 1st time since their relocation last night. Sheba took her rat and went to town. Simba skipped her feed and Merlin, my red tail boa has decided to just hug his rat and not eat it. Kinda mixed results you'd say. LOL

[LawfulChaos]

Have fun with your new ball python and you should always wash your hands after handling you snake, if you didnt already know that.

[The Letch]

Smart move to feed him before the move. I just fed mine for the 1st time since their relocation last night. Sheba took her rat and went to town. Simba skipped her feed and Merlin, my red tail boa has decided to just hug his rat and not eat it. Kinda mixed results you'd say. LOL

And people say snakes aren't cuddlers.

Have fun with your new ball python and you should always wash your hands after handling you snake, if you didnt already know that.

I just assumed that would be something you'd do for regular hygiene. Is there a special reason you'll want to do that?

[LawfulChaos]

Its a precaution to prevent any possibility of your snake transmitting salmonella to you.

[stratus_020202]

And people say snakes aren't cuddlers.

I just assumed that would be something you'd do for regular hygiene. Is there a special reason you'll want to do that?

They do occasionally crawl through their poo. It's sanitary. Nobody likes salmonella (i have no idea how to spell that one. lol)

[instinct27]

I also feed in the enclosure. One thing I do is pretty much let my ball tell me he's hungry. I feed F/T (frozen/thawed) mice so I actually do the thawing on top of his enclosure.

If he is hungry he'll show it (coming out of his hide or just sticking his head out of his hide with tongue going crazy). Once he shows this I place the mouse in a ziplock bag and soak in the hottest water my tap produces then take the mouse out and dry it. The drying helps a LOT in preventing bedding getting stuck on the mouse and eventually in the snake's mouth.

I then feed with tongs. That's just the way I do it, you'll adjust according to how your snake acts in time.

[blackcrystal22]

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.

They do not have the intelligence to correspond 'hand' - 'food'. The only thing that means there is food, is the scent and appearance of prey.

Your hand does not look and should not smell like their prey. If they are going to bite you, it is either upset or scared, not trying to bite you for food.

I do not suggest feeding outside the enclosure. It heightens the risk of being bitten as well as having problems with regurgitation and stress from the situation.
Snakes would much rather be left alone in the dark to eat then be watched with bright lights shining.