Ever reoccuring question about feeding in cage or out.

[cweimer4]

Ive fed my snake twice now since ive had him. The first time I fed him in a different container, a cardboard box to be exact. He took the meal fine and had no problem. Today, however, I tried feeding him in a different container. He curled up as if he were gunna take it, but after a while he was no longer interested in eating. The mouse was active and was all over him and the container. So I decided to try to put him in his cage/tank/whatever and try it after a while. So once i put the mouse in his tank he immediately caught onto his scent and didnt hesitate to eat him. Now the reoccurring problem is if they get aggressive toward people since they eat in their enclosure. Ive heard some people say they have and some people say they havent. I love my snake and I just dont want him to get aggressive towards me or anyone else who handles him if they reach in to get him out. Since hes more comfortable in his tank should I keep feeding him in there even though ive been told not to, or try and see if hell get secure in a different environment, like a cardboard box.



Ive asked a lot of questions lately and it seems I have a new one everyday. I appreciate everyone putting up with all my questions! I just wanna make my snake happy! Thanks in advance to any and all replies!

[musicalKeyes]

I feed my guys separately. My spider had trouble with it at first, but he eventually caught on. My normal, Simon, seems to now recognize the rubbermaid I feed him in. If I take it out and put it by the cage and he's out he seems to know, he gets really antsy (any other time and he doesn't want to move )

I wouldn't worry too much with feeding in his cage though. BPs are so laid back (except for those few) that I doubt it would cause him to bite. But if he does start, some advice; my king recently started biting (he eats in cage) and I've had others start as well. When you go in to pick him up, don't hesitate, that's the only time I've been bit. It seems like if you pick them up decisively they don't get a chance to lock on.

I hope this helped even a little, good luck!

[iCandiBallPythons]

This is beating a dead horse, it's fine to feed in the enclosure, there's no reason to use a separate "feeding container". There are also threads on here with tons of posts on the subject using the search button at the top of the page.
Here's 1 example...
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=feed+inside

[blackcrystal22]

It's much less stressful and prevents most issues (including getting bitten!) if you feed your snake in it's own enclosure.

Recognizing that container you're going to feed the snake in is asking you to get bit when you go to pick him up out of it, plus I doubt it's actual recognition of the container, but more of the scent that remains on it. Plus, there are regurgitation risks.

[BPsRule]

I feed mine in a separate container just because I keep him on aspen bedding. I don't like the idea of him possibly swallowing some of that stuff.

[musicalKeyes]

It's much less stressful and prevents most issues (including getting bitten!) if you feed your snake in it's own enclosure.

Recognizing that container you're going to feed the snake in is asking you to get bit when you go to pick him up out of it, plus I doubt it's actual recognition of the container, but more of the scent that remains on it. Plus, there are regurgitation risks.

Well, I know in reality he doesn't recognize the container, they don't have great vision, but i do know they begin to recognize what day they get fed on, and for me it's the same day every week. If my guys got really stressed about it, I would feed them in the cage, but due to a few accidents a week or two ago (one cage got smacked with an electric guitar by my little cousin, and the other's uth stopped working) all three are in the same tank, so feeding outside the cage came in handy. And before we all go off on that, there's more than six places for them to hide, it's a big enough cage, tons of fake plants, perfect temps, etc. I'm waiting until the Tinley show coming up and I'll either buy a few more tanks or get a lovely rack system.

Also, i've never been bit by any of my guys yet (well, BPs). I realize one day it will happen, but it won't be the first time I've been tagged, and that's the risk that comes along with having snakes. If they showed signs of stress about it or stopped eating I'd change the way i do things, but it hasn't happened yet, and hopefully it won't

[singingtothewheat]

I feed mine in a separate container just because I keep him on aspen bedding. I don't like the idea of him possibly swallowing some of that stuff.

This is why I changed substrates and use new print or paper towels. I had a snake get a mouth full of bedding and decided that was enough.

[jason79]

I feed all of mine in their enclosure and never have a problem they do not get more aggressive towards you that is a myth. There are many reasons not to move a snake to feed like stress right before feeding, Moving them to a cold tub with no heat right at feeding time, then you also have to handle them right after feeding to move them back. The only reason I can see to move it is to keep it from swallowing too much bedding (which shouldn't be a problem they digest bone) or if you house multiple snakes together which is not a good idea but if you did I would feed them in a separate enclosure.