feeding questions

[crispit1023]

i'm new to the reptile world, and i got my ball python, Mr Pink, this past august. so far, things have been going fairly smoothly, considering i'm a beginner. i have been feeding him f/t mice in a separate enclosure since i got him. i usually leave him in the enclosure for a little while after eating, as i can only imagine he might be uncomfortable after having swallowed a mouse. the problem arises when i attempt to transfer him back to his tank...he has snapped at me a few times. he has never actually bitten me, but this is the only time he ever tries. i try not to startle him, but now i'm scared to touch him every time i feed him. what is the best way to get him back into his tank? and how long should i wait after he finishes eating?

it seems like most people here don't think it's necessary to use a separate enclosure, so i thought i would try to feed him inside his tank yesterday. he was curled up inside his hide when i did it, and i get the feeling i must have scared him. he quickly snatched up the mouse, but didn't eat it right away. he seemed to be on edge and constantly looking around as if he felt threatened and was ready to attack. in retrospect, i imagine it wasn't the best idea to do it while he was hiding, since i must have startled him...especially since he was never fed in his tank before. but how else can i go about it, if i almost never see him outside his hide at a normal hour?

also, i'm scared to even attempt to put my hand in his tank now after seeing him like that. do you think he will be more aggressive towards me?

[warlord]

ive had my snake since aroundthe middle of january and i feed him in his enclosure as well hes always hiding when i do it to because hes always hiding unless its midnight lol

but i think he sould probably be fine, mine hasnt shown signs of aggresion towards me like the way he acts when i put a mouse near him. i would just feed him in the cage and give him 48 hours to relax than try and handle him and see what happens i guess

[Crazy4Herps]

That aggression you see when transferring him back to his enclosure is one reason why many prefer to feed in the enclosure. It sounds like the in-tank feeding went fine; it's normal for them to look around after 'killing' their food, just to make sure they're safe (eating puts them in a vulnerable position). With my fussy eaters I like to throw a towel over the cage after they take the food so they can feel more secure when eating. And feeding while he's in his hide is perfectly fine; it makes him feel like he can 'stalk' the mouse from a safe place.

Cage aggression (snapping at your hands when you open the cage / thinking you're food) is really not an issue with ball pythons. I have never seen a cage aggressive ball python (so long as there's no scent of food). But if you're nervous you can always tap him gently on the neck with a snake hook (a clothes hanger works just fine if you don't have a snake hook) before reaching in and picking him up, but keep away from the head because ball pythons are very head-shy and will be startled. As I said, I don't think it will be an issue, but the 'hook training' method or gloves are great to use if you are hesitant about picking him up.

I would seriously recommend feeding him in the enclosure. It is so much easier and you are much less likely to encounter complications. However, if you do want to continue feeding in a separate container, I would recommend waiting 15 minutes after he's eaten before transferring him to his regular cage.

[satomi325]

Feeding in the enclosure induces aggression in snakes is a common MYTH.
Whether or not you feed in the tank or in a separate tub, if you feel uncomfortable with picking up your snake you can use a rolled up newspaper or paper towel roll to direct his head away from your hand. It doesn't hurt the snake and you'll feel more reassured. Also wash your hands before handling your snake. You might smell like food or some other type of animal that gets him interested in your hand.

Here's a thread you can read: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ight=feed+tank

I'll say that the majority, if not everyone, in that thread who feeds in the enclosure has not seen any behavior change in regard to aggression.

I feed all of my snakes in their enclosure and have not seen any developed aggression either. Also an animal who is in shed may react defensively to a hand, just in case yours is going into shed.

Edit: Also I tend to find that transferring a snake back and forth between tank and feeding bin stresses the animals out. Feeding in the enclosure minimizes that stress. Although there are exceptions to this.

[crispit1023]

thanks so much for the info. i agree that transferring back and forth would likely stress the snake out, and i suspect that is why he snaps at me at that time. i have read before that cage aggression is a myth, but i guess i just kept doing it that way out of habit, and because it usually went well (he always readily takes the food). i definitely want to try to continue feeding him in his tank, based on your recommendations and what i read on this site (and because i don't want him to bite me!). what makes me nervous is that i have never seen him act that way when i feed him. so i guess what i'm trying to ask is whether i should be concerned about the fact that his response was so different?

thanks again
-Christy

[Dracoluna]

I've had my snakes (corns) snap at me after feeding in a separate container but those are the ones who are aggressive feeders. From what I've dealt with, the strike is more of a combination of a reaction to the smell of mouse because the smell is still in the container and them being excited about feeding. Once I let them know it's me and not a mouse, I've not had a problem but like recommended above, a little tap with a snake hook or other object seems to snap them out of it. Granted, I've never fed in the tank, but that's also because corns are less likely to stress. They do have the ability to learn the difference between feeding and the cage opened for handling so it may just have been a coincidence or a startle reaction. From what you're saying, your snake is still young and even snakes have off days. If you're really worried about him striking you, take a glove to gauge his response to movement. I use a glove because if they do hit it, it isn't hard enough to hurt their teeth. I wouldn't worry about the reaction unless he continues with the behavior. You need to remember that you've changed something in his world with feeding him in the cage so give him a few feedings to adjust and continue trying to handle him in between feedings. I still have one that likes to try to eat me every time I open her cage but is slowly getting better with regular handling. Granted, she is a corn snake and actually came out of the egg grumpy.

[DooLittle]

He could still be in feed mode, or is pissy about getting messed with after eating a meal. I would just feed him in his enclosure, less stress. Don't be afraid of him either. 48 hours after he has eaten, just reach in confidently and grab him. If he realizes he can keep you away by going into s pose, he may keep at it. Btw, after you join the bite club, you realize it isn't that bad anyhow.

[Mike41793]

He could still be in feed mode, or is pissy about getting messed with after eating a meal. I would just feed him in his enclosure, less stress. Don't be afraid of him either. 48 hours after he has eaten, just reach in confidently and grab him. If he realizes he can keep you away by going into s pose, he may keep at it. Btw, after you join the bite club, you realize it isn't that bad anyhow.

x2 just reach in right for him with an open palm and grab him. He'll figure out quickly whose in charge lol...

[crispit1023]

"the bite club" hahaha