Feeding in or out of tank?

[Scaleyz]

I feed all mine in their tubs, I use hand sanitizer before all feedings just to be sure my hands are clean. My original 3 pythons I use my hand and do the zombie dance in front of them which lasts a split second. My new rescues I use large tongs, I call them strike force by 4 for a reason for now, lol. For now they are in quarantine and are in the same enclosure and have to be separated for feeding then put back together after they are done. Obviously after a good amount of time so as not to trigger any regurge. So far so good. Best of luck to you, if you need info this indeed is the place for it.

[mommanessy247]

i feed in too & although i get some occasional "stink eye" glares from my girl i wouldnt say she's cage aggressive. a couple times she's gotten a bit too excited right before feeding time and approached the front glass doors too quick but then a quick spritz from the water bottle tells her she's gotta give me time to get the rat in there first, haha. i still wouldnt call that aggression so much as excitement.

[SpencerShanks]

I feed in his regular tank and haven't had any problems with aggression at all. In fact the only time I've been bit was when I was reaching to move his food before I had tongs, so you might wind up being more likely to be bit when moving your snake to a feeding tub haha.

[angllady2]

I have done both.

Most of my snakes are fed in their enclosures. They all know when feeding day is, and they all know the routine for feeding. There is a definite level of excitement on feeding day, but I can reach in any other day with no issues from all but one of my snakes. That girl is blind, and it takes a little finesse on my part to remind her that open tub does not always mean food.

I have used a separate feeding tub to kick start a few reluctant feeders. This was done by placing the snake into a small empty tub, covering 95% of the tub with a heavy, dark towel, then using tongs to hold a live mouse in one spot until the non-threatening movement of said mouse proved too much for a hungry snake to resist. Usually one feeding this way was all I needed, after that they ate in their own tubs.

The debate over this is endless, and each must do what is best for themselves and their snakes. If your main concern is cage aggression, that is about 90% myth. However it is worthwhile to note, if you ONLY open/reach into the enclosure to feed, {And I wanna know how you clean} and/or you make it a habit to handle your snakes food just before reaching into the tub you stand a very good chance of getting bitten. However, I don't call that cage aggression. I call that stupid owner syndrome.
The good news is SOS can be cured, mine only took a few weeks of daily visits to this site, the symptoms improved right away, and I rarely have a relapse!

Gale

[Hull357]

Thank you all for the great advice i fed in the tank for the first time since i have had him and it was a great success he took it down like a champ i felt like a proud parent hahaha.

[RetiredJedi]

...I use hand sanitizer before all feedings just to be sure my hands are clean...

That's funny because I do the opposite. I use hand sanitizer only when I am going to handle the snake and DON'T use hand sanitizer when I feed so they don't smell it thinking I'm coming in to touch them...

[ODoyle90]

I used to feed in a separate enclosure, but have done my last few feedings in his cage. There hasn't been any change in his demeanor. He is as cool as always. He still eats every time without fail. Overall, its just much easier. Once he bites and constricts, I put the top back on, sit on the couch, and enjoy the show!

[mlperryman]

I do the opposite of most everyone else. I do NOT feed any of our ball pythons in their regular tank. We have plastic containers that we use just for feeding. I know people say it stresses them to move them and causes them not to eat, but I guess we've just got good snakes that don't get stressed easily. I tried feeding our oldest female in her tank one time and it was not a good experience. My mother-in-law was at our house on feeding day. Since she is terrified of snakes, I just dropped the f/t mouse in the tank. Not only did the snake not eat, but she also freaked out when I went to get the mouse out. I really thought I was going to get bit that day. We cleaned her tank (to get rid of the mouse smell) and have never did it again. But, like someone else said, I think it depends a lot on the individual snake. Mine are used to being fed in different containers so it doesn't bother them. I think it would be easier to feed in their own tank, but I like feeding mine separate. It also eases my mind to know that when we (or any of our 5 children) open the tank to hold one of the snakes, there won't be any confusion if it's feeding time or not. And besides, while they eat gives me plenty of time to clean their tanks!

[ODoyle90]

Very true. It's all up to the owner and their snake. I was never concerned about stressing mine out, but you cant beat the convenience haha. Both worked perfectly in my experience.