My BP Just Bit me, What should I do??

[Argentra]

Feeding in another enclosure is unnecessary and added work. I used to feed my snakes in other containers because I was a worry wort about them swallowing bedding...but then I thought 'wait, snakes can digest BONE. A little wood isn't gonna hurt'

As has been said, if you get your snake(s) on a regular feeding schedule, meaning feed on the same day or at least the same interval of days every time, then they'll learn that that day means food and will be sweet and gentle the rest of the time (usually).

You'll get better results all around if you just feed in their home enclosure. And if you're really worried about bedding, put down a piece of cardboard or something when you feed.

[TanyaL]

Feeding in another enclosure is unnecessary and added work. I used to feed my snakes in other containers because I was a worry wort about them swallowing bedding...but then I thought 'wait, snakes can digest BONE. A little wood isn't gonna hurt'

As has been said, if you get your snake(s) on a regular feeding schedule, meaning feed on the same day or at least the same interval of days every time, then they'll learn that that day means food and will be sweet and gentle the rest of the time (usually).

You'll get better results all around if you just feed in their home enclosure. And if you're really worried about bedding, put down a piece of cardboard or something when you feed.

DIGESTING the substrate isn't what worries me, it's getting it stuck in the mouth, throat, whatever is what I'm worried about. The bones at least come in a nice little furry package that prevent the problems that substrate can. But, I know a lot of people still feed in their enclosures, but using a seperate tank is just what works for us.

[Argentra]

Oh, I understand the concern. You just have to use a substrate that isn't sharp.

I tried using cypress but stopped right away when I found it was all splintery. Even regular Kaytee Aspen has some sharp pieces...but then I found Harlan Teklad shredded aspen. The stuff ROCKS! Perfect for snakes.

But you do whatever works best for you and your snake.

[blackcrystal22]

Oh, I understand the concern. You just have to use a substrate that isn't sharp.

I tried using cypress but stopped right away when I found it was all splintery. Even regular Kaytee Aspen has some sharp pieces...but then I found Harlan Teklad shredded aspen. The stuff ROCKS! Perfect for snakes.

But you do whatever works best for you and your snake.

Harlan Teklad.. I'll have to make a note of that..

[frankykeno]

Thanks for all the advice. I always pick the mouse up with latex gloves cause the mouse always poops in his little container from the pet store. I heard that you should never feed the snakes in the enclosure but I'll do that for now on, it's so much easier!!!
Thanks!!!

All I can tell you is based on my own personal experience. We feed 30+ snakes here every week, from little hatchling ball pythons to big mature ones, to boas to a milksnake. All in their enclosures, all on a variety of substrates that range from newspaper to aspen to an aspen/cypress mulch mixture.

If feeding in the enclosure or feeding live caused a snake to bite you, well I'd be pretty much chewed to pieces. I'm not.

i thought you weren't supposed to feed in the enclosure because the aspen bedding (or whatever you use)could be swallowed and i thought that was harmful.

Their digestive acids break down fur, teeth and bone completely - a bit of fine shred aspen isn't going to create an issue. If they get a bit stuck in their mouth they can usually dislodge it, if not then you can pull it out with a pair of tweezers. If you're concerned about loose bedding then a few hours before feeding time you can always lay down a big square of newspaper over the area of the enclosure your snake is feeding in. Leave it there until the next morning or at least a few hours later so you don't accidentally get nipped by a still hyped up, just had it's dinner snake.

I would suggest though that on future feeding days that you keep handling the snake to a minimum, especially handing it around for someone else to handle too. These snakes get to know what day you feed on and can become very hyper sensitive on their feeding day. Too much handling that day can get you bit or the snake so freaked out that it then refuses to feed that night. Just a thought....

[mischevious21]

I feed all of mine in a seperate enclosure, and what I usualy do it kinda tilt it a little bit to move the snake closer to me, and because I've noticed that when I move it it startles them for a moment and it goes out of feed mode, allowing me to gently pick up the snake with no problems and put him/her back into their cade But ya, I've been tagged before feeding by putting them into the enclosure before having the mouse/rat ready to throw in and them seeing my hand and mistaking it. No biggie, She's never intentionaly bit me even after that.

[Myenia]

Hm...I've been feeding mine in a seperate enclosure. I put her in there and leave her there for a few minutes while the f/t mouse heats up, so that she doesn't expect to eat the moment she gets moved. If moving her doesn't help her know not to bite a hand coming into her vivarium...at least it helps ME go into feeding mode...and that means me being more careful.

[Daemonicus]

That's how I got bit the other day...my Kenyan was still hungry (I gave her a smaller pinkie than normal b/c the rat pups looked a little large for her) after she ate the pinkie I gave her a few minutes then went to get her out of her feed tub. She struck me as soon as my hand was in there. I gave her one of the larger pups, she ate, and was fat and happy. No striking.