Feeding in seperate enclosures

[elevatethis]

I've read in numerous caresheets that it is good practice to feed your snake in a seperate container.

I've been feeding Amber in a large shoebox, which now just reeks of mouse smell, and she knows its feeding time the moment she gets put in there. She takes on a whole different attitude it seems, an its an attitude that I notice ONLY when shes in that box. You know, when their neck takes on a tight S shape and become much more alert? This attitude also changes the moment I reach in there and remove her to go back into her cage.

I just read in another care sheet that feeding in a seperate container may actually increase the liklihood of a mistaken strike. It is a caresheet on green tree pythons. The author gave no info to back up that claim, so i was just curious as to how you all feel about it.

[Smulkin]

Here's a previous thread on this very issue:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/index.ph...ewtopic&t=1893

[CrazyBoutHerps]

I feed Pauliocho in a seperate container, and wait for him to start trying to get out before I take him out, ans I also clean the container between feedings so it doesn't get that mousy smell. He seems fine when it's time to get, not like he wants to strike. However, it is different for every snake.

[elevatethis]

There was a statement made in that post about how they shouldn't be handled right after they eat. Although that is a good point, Amber and I have sort of developed a system for that. I basically wait for her to finish eating and start showing interest in leaving the box. At that point, I simply use a couple fingers back on her tail and raise it up. She grabs hold every time, and I safely raise her from the box and back into her enclosure. Not at any time do I disturb the freshly swallowed rodent.

[JLC]

This is definitely one of those cases where it is owner's preference. You have to know what's best for your particular snake. And different species have different requirements...GTP's may be a lot more skittish or delicate and require less "drama" than a separate feeding box. And for sure it's much much safer to feed giant snakes in their own enclosure. It just all depends...but with small, hardy snakes like bp's...it's really whatever works best for you and for your snake.

[bigslimrich]

Samson is like that, when i put him in the feed box (seperate box that i made) he goes right into HUNT mode. The box will smell like mice so i put heavy duty black duct tape down in the bottom so i can clean it easy, plus if the mice pee or poo it will not get the cardboard wet. I have switched to prekilled rats now and they do not smell anywhere near as bad as the mice!! and you dont have to clean up a mess either!

[bigslimrich]

Also, I meant to say that part of the reason it is good to feed in seperate enclosures is that the snake starts to associate the box with feed time!! This reduces the chance of anyone being bitten while getting the snake out of its living space. I dont know about it increasing the chances of being bit while reaching into the feed box, but i do know that tree pythons are a lot more likely to bite anything because it is there nature to strike stuff that just wanders in front of them.

[Ironhead]

This is definitely one of those cases where it is owner's preference. You have to know what's best for your particular snake

Agree 100%....I feed in the same inclosure, only difference is that I remove everything out prior to feeding him. When he is finished eating I am able to put everything back in without having to hold him.
I dont make it a practice (though I have done it several times) I occasionally put my hand in the tank to get the mouse moving and Monty has never once mistaken my hand for the mouse, matter of fact he has never even shown signs of taking my hand on rather than the mouse. He definetly knows the difference between an eatable food item and my hand and arm that is MUCH larger then he would even think about trying to eat. Like I said....I dont make it a practice....Just have done it several times. Nor am I saying that Monty wont strike my hand, just that he has never showed any interest to. I probably wouldnt do it except that I have been bitten so many times by other snakes that it does not bother me or scare me.

[iceman25]

I have switched to prekilled rats now and they do not smell anywhere near as bad as the mice!! and you dont have to clean up a mess either!