Feeding in a seperate tank

[robeyeshua]

i feed in - i never want him to associate coming out with eating - when he comes out it is never feeding time - have done balls, boas, and my corn the same way - what about the breeders of several hundred snakes - u think they take the time to rake them out - doubt it

[Egapal]

I would strongly disagree. I can see where in most cases it isnt needed; however if you believe they get use to being handled, why couldnt they get use to a pattern and routine for eating? These are creatures of very basic patterns and routines, and that is something you can get them adjusted to in most cases if there is a need.

So glad you asked. Because I believe in evolution and these animals did not evolve to recognize patterns and routine. They did on the other hand evolve to be very good at detecting the smell, and heat signature of prey. My hand doesn't look or smell like a rodent. For the sake of argument lets assume that the snake can determine patterns and now associated its feeding tub with feeding time. When you reach your hand in to take the snake out and put it back in its normal cage won't it think your hand is another rodent? I have yet to hear a convincing argument for cage aggression in BPs.

[tcutting]

So glad you asked. Because I believe in evolution and these animals did not evolve to recognize patterns and routine. They did on the other hand evolve to be very good at detecting the smell, and heat signature of prey. My hand doesn't look or smell like a rodent. For the sake of argument lets assume that the snake can determine patterns and now associated its feeding tub with feeding time. When you reach your hand in to take the snake out and put it back in its normal cage won't it think your hand is another rodent? I have yet to hear a convincing argument for cage aggression in BPs.

I suppose the situation that I used a separate feeding enclosure is somewhat different... I did it with a Burm I had and I hook "trained" it. Never just stuck my hand straight in. Between hook training and feeding in a separate pen it DID make a HUGE difference with that animal. Perhaps just a one off but made my life easier and handling much safer.

[RichsBallPythons]

Feeding in the Enclosure or tub they live in is not a problem.

This whole myth of getting bit when you go in is getting out of control with the new people coming day after day. Stop listening to petstores and listen to people that been doing it for years. You dont smell like a rat/mouse so theres no reason for them to bite unless your pissing them off.

I would hate to have to take 50+ snakes out once at a time to feed, a 2 hour feeding night would turn into a full time job.

Use common sense.

[Skiploder]

Let's do this.

All of you who think feeding in the tub results in less aggression, I invite you to do the following:

When you are planning in being in Northern California, drop me a PM. We can get together for a nice lunch and then I can bring you back to our house.

Then you can attempt to take my big cribos out one by one and feed them in a tub with the scents of thawed out rats in the air. When they are done eating, you can then place them back into their enclosures.

Then we can go down to the hospital and get you stitched up. Once the bandages come off your hands, you can type an account of what happened on this thread.

[tcutting]

I find it rather funny how overly serious and intense many of you have been about this subject. I simply shared my experience the one time i did decide that it was a need... please keep in mind i dont work at petsmart, petco, etc and I have worked with a few hundred snakes for a few years. This is not me just talking about a subject that i heard about or read somewhere. Real hands on experience.

If you are so inclined to believe that there is no way to condition them on this subject, then that would mean in NO WAY do they ever get use to being handled and human interaction of any kind.

Now as far as people who keep 50+ snakes of course you wouldnt worry about feeding in another enclosure. at that point you are a breeder or at the very least an extreme hobbyist where temperament of the animal is completely irrelevant. Thus makes no need to ever worry or care about their behavior.

Anyway.... again it is not a need in the vast majority of cases, nor will it always work. Have i used this method, yes and it worked well for ME. Perhaps my particular experience was a fluke, or so other reason changed the snakes behavior, regardless it was a positive experience for me.

[RichsBallPythons]

I dont handle any of my snakes. Some may get picked up once a month when they pee/poop. And still Never been bit, and my rodents are in same room as snakes. Guess what Still NOT bit.

Feeding and handling are 2 different things are not to be used as an example.

[Skiploder]

I dont handle any of my snakes. Some may get picked up once a month when they pee/poop. And still Never been bit, and my rodents are in same room as snakes. Guess what Still NOT bit.

Feeding and handling are 2 different things are not to be used as an example.

Your snakes appear to be as stupid as mine.

Maybe I should read to mine more...........

[RichsBallPythons]

Your snakes appear to be as stupid as mine.

Maybe I should read to mine more...........

Let me know which one you pick and if it works...

[mainbutter]

I don't feed in a separate tank. I feed in cage, every snake in my collection.

If you do feed in a separate tank, picking it up gently to replace it in its cage is no big deal and won't cause a regurgitation in a healthy snake.