feeding help

[Lazarus09]

Why don't you feed him in his tank/tub? Never understood why people say you have to put them in a separate tank for feeding. I have always feed every snake I've owned in it's normal enclosure and have not been bitten once yet. The supposed point of feeding in a different tank is so that it doesn't "mistake" your hand for prey when you try to handle it. Doesn't sound like that is working for you, so why keep doing it. He is obviously hungry when it's feeding day so feed him in his tank and then let him be for 24-48 hours. To me it does sound like he isn't getting enough from what you're feeding him so maybe up the size a little bit and see if that helps. Maybe he just doesn't like being messed with on feeding day.

0.1 normal
1.0 albino

[NorthernRegius]

Why don't you feed him in his tank/tub? Never understood why people say you have to put them in a separate tank for feeding. I have always feed every snake I've owned in it's normal enclosure and have not been bitten once yet. The supposed point of feeding in a different tank is so that it doesn't "mistake" your hand for prey when you try to handle it. Doesn't sound like that is working for you, so why keep doing it. He is obviously hungry when it's feeding day so feed him in his tank and then let him be for 24-48 hours. To me it does sound like he isn't getting enough from what you're feeding him so maybe up the size a little bit and see if that helps. Maybe he just doesn't like being messed with on feeding day.

0.1 normal
1.0 albino

Pets shows usually have multiple snakes together, so they have to feed separately... but when a BP is properly housed in an enclosure of it's own, there is no need to move the animal to feed it.

[Ophis]

At 4 years he should defiantly be on med-large rats

[JUNKyardHOE]

well the main reason I don't feed him in his main cage is because I read somwhere that they can swollow some of the substrate and choke on it or something... and another thing is his cage is a bit cluttered... but if you guys think it's ok then I guess I can start feeding him in his tank


and as far as the size of rat i took some pictures of his head next to a measuring tape so maybe you can tell me how big of a rat I can feed him and maybe tell me what morph he is(if any)

[Danounet]

As far as weight goes that looks like a very nice BP to me. And the pattern is very nice too. Unless you want to make him fat I wouldnt increase the amount of weight on feeding. There has to be another reason for his aggression other than he is hungry. Maybe is stress from being move around when you go feeding, Seems like he just doesnt like it to me.

[Kaorte]

They swallow animals whole, how on earth would they choke on a piece of substrate?

They can also digest bone and hair so a little bit of wood won't hurt. If you are really concerned, just put a piece of paper towel down over the substrate and then put the rat on top of that.

Are you providing two tight fitting hides for the snake?

[JUNKyardHOE]

well I don't think it could be stress from being moved as I have been doing that since I got him. could it be him just getting a little excited for food? and I don't know if it makes a difference but I feed live.

and yes he has to squeeze into his hides

and on a side note I keep forgetting to ask people this but he squeaks somtimes not like a wheezing because it's not with every breath but like when he is moving around alot he will squeak once or twice, what could it be?

[Kaorte]

Probably stuck shed in the nostril or a fast exhale or inhale.

Is he actually aggressive or just more active on feeding day? My snakes are pretty active on feeding day, but that doesn't mean they are aggressive. Just on the prowl.

[JUNKyardHOE]

he has actually struck at me from his hide

[oswhiteboy]

so I have had my bp for about 4 years now and I used to feed him 2 mice every Friday and about three weeks ago I felt he was big enough for a small rat so no problems there he can swallow it with little strain... however he has become alot more aggressive on Fridays but the rest of the week even Thursday he is perfectly normal and docile.

should I be feeding him more so he's not as hungry by the next week?

You have been feeding him too small of a prey item for years. Mine is a year old and he is on medium rats every 8 days. The reason he has become more aggressive after feeding is because he has more food in his stomach and it would be harder to defend himself because he can't move as fast. Just dont bother him after he eats for a day or 2.

well the main reason I don't feed him in his main cage is because I read somwhere that they can swollow some of the substrate and choke on it or something...

Think about it... This snake is a wild animal its not going to hurt them if they swallow a little substrate. Intestinal blockage is very rare I have been feeding on aspen for years and never had a problem. And the myth about feeding them in a separate cage does more harm to the animal than good. Feed him in its cage and don't pick him up after eating.