Enough is enough

[Haydenphoto]

Are the wild BP's in Africa roaming around on shaved aspen??? Didn't think so!

There is a FAR greater risk for captive BP's to become "compacted"!!

THAT is why I feed in a separate enclosure(and luckily my snake isn't picky about it)

If people want to use shredded newspaper as substrate and feed inside the snake's enclosure I see no problem with it.

All I was stating is that THERE IS a risk if one uses aspen substrate and offers prey inside the snake's enclosure.

For the past 8 years I have never had an issue.. DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE TUBS !

[Maixx]

I use sterilite lunch boxes with reptile carpet on the bottom and the exit hole on top for my bp's hides. These don't have any substrate in them and with the hole on top its easy to just drop prey right into their hides.
I had similar problems getting my female established and once I switched to these she felt safe enough to eat, she still won't touch it until I leave the room (feeding prekilled).
I'm just having a hell of a time switching from pk mice to ft small rats.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Some funny posts on this thread for sure,feeding in or out of the enclosure is probably one of the most beat to death topics Ive seen, but honestly im sure the rat/mice bones hold a lot more density than aspen shavings so theres no reason to feed outside their enclosure ESPECIALLY newly acquired bp's as most are stressed enough from the change in environment. Typically a stressed bp will refuse to eat or defensively strike at the prey, I would recommend to stop offering food for a few days to a week and then offer food inside the enclosure. Every bp is different, they have different personalities, some stress very easy and some not.

[Superpop]

For the past 8 years I have never had an issue.. DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE TUBS !

Just because you have not had an issue means nothing(You didn't even state what kind of substrate that you use)

And if you do use Aspen substrate there is a vast variety of them as some of them are shredded and others are sharp chips and some of them are "dusty" and others are not.

I am just giving counterpoint advice to the OP because the OP didn't state what type of substrate is being used.

You can insist all you want that it's better to feed inside the snake's enclosure(my snake has NO PROBLEM eating outside of her's though) but in the end if you do feed inside the enclosure you better make sure sure you are not running the risk of compaction!(and if people use shredded newspaper that isn't a problem)

[Superpop]

I use sterilite lunch boxes with reptile carpet on the bottom and the exit hole on top for my bp's hides. These don't have any substrate in them and with the hole on top its easy to just drop prey right into their hides.
I had similar problems getting my female established and once I switched to these she felt safe enough to eat, she still won't touch it until I leave the room (feeding prekilled).
I'm just having a hell of a time switching from pk mice to ft small rats.

OMG!!! That is a damn clever idea!!!!!

[Haydenphoto]

Just because you have not had an issue means nothing(You didn't even state what kind of substrate that you use)

And if you do use Aspen substrate there is a vast variety of them as some of them are shredded and others are sharp chips and some of them are "dusty" and others are not.

I am just giving counterpoint advice to the OP because the OP didn't state what type of substrate is being used.

You can insist all you want that it's better to feed inside the snake's enclosure(my snake has NO PROBLEM eating outside of her's though) but in the end if you do feed inside the enclosure you better make sure sure you are not running the risk of compaction!(and if people use shredded newspaper that isn't a problem)

Aspen is what i use. Like i said in a few other posts if have 50+ snakes and to think about moving 50 snakes out to feed i would be there forever... You have been lucky. But again how many snakes do you have to feed every 3 days to a week...

[Superpop]

Aspen is what i use. Like i said in a few other posts if have 50+ snakes and to think about moving 50 snakes out to feed i would be there forever... You have been lucky. But again how many snakes do you have to feed every 3 days to a week...

You're right...I only have one snake.

That does not mean snakes can't become "impacted" from aspen substrate and feeding inside their enclosures.

Yes I AM LUCKY that my snake doesn't have issues with being fed outside of her enclosure.(that is not always the case though)

I don't care if people feed inside/outside enclosure....

I just want newbies to know the risks of compaction and I am the only person who brought that up and I feel it deserved to be brought up.

[Maixx]

OMG!!! That is a damn clever idea!!!!!

Another advantage of those hides, when they go into shed, take the carpet out, fill 1/2 full damp moss and you have a nice high humidity hide. My bp's shed 1 piece every time.

[iCandiBallPythons]

You're right...I only have one snake.

That does not mean snakes can't become "impacted" from aspen substrate and feeding inside their enclosures.

Yes I AM LUCKY that my snake doesn't have issues with being fed outside of her enclosure.(that is not always the case though)

I don't care if people feed inside/outside enclosure....

I just want newbies to know the risks of compaction and I am the only person who brought that up and I feel it deserved to be brought up.

Not trying to get involved in squabble here but just a question. You do realize that rat or mice bones are far more dense than aspen? BTW didnt you post something awhile back about using a UVB light for a ball python?

[ms381]

Not trying to get involved in squabble here but just a question. You do realize that rat or mice bones are far more dense than aspen? BTW didnt you post something awhile back about using a UVB light for a ball python?

Although i am in agreement with you on feeding in the tank, with substrate is ok. I dont believe the above is correct and Cant be the reason to justify feeding in the enclosure. bone is not dense and for Many reasons and i say Any Wood is denser than bone. Bone has to be strong but flexible to reduce fracture and splinters, its made with a hollow tube with soft narrow and the inside layers made with minerals and calcium deposits that Make a spongey structure. If you looked at both under a microscope im sure you would be suprised at the difference in the sturcture between Wood and bone.

Anyway, slightly of topic there. I just did not Think it was an accurite way to Make your justification. Matt