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View Full Version : Old chestnut - Feeding inside or outside of the viv

greengriff
05-19-17, 07:03 AM
Hi,

A forum search found a fairly inconclusive thread from 2005. The previous owner of my 2 boas took them out and fed them individually in crates. His reasoning was that he did not want them to associate the viv with feeding so that he risked being struck at when he opened the door.

That seems sensible enough. However so does the other opinion that moving them out for feeding and back in just afterwards stresses them out too and that they associate being outside with being fed.

Has there been any progress in consensus of opinion in the matter in the last 12 years since that thread appeared, or is it still a matter of personal opinion?

For me with 2 large snakes it seems intuitive to leave them in their home for feeding, where they can stay undisturbed for however long they need afterwards.

Thoughts?
Andy_G
05-19-17, 07:42 AM
Zero reason to move them to feed. :)
EL Ziggy
05-19-17, 08:05 AM
I agree with Andy. I see no benefit to feeding outside their enclosures. I'll admit that a few of my snakes will strike the second that door opens when they think there's food coming. That's why I tap them with a hook. It shuts them right down. They're super chill after that.
greengriff
05-19-17, 10:32 AM
Thank you. So you think a hook is a good investment? Or if you're only going to tap them gently and then pick them up by hand can I tap them gently with something else of suitable length first?
dannybgoode
05-19-17, 12:11 PM
Inside viv unless there is very good reason to do otherwise.

More stress for the snake, more chance of getting bitten. Snakes are way smarter than they're generally given credit for and soon work out when food is involved.

Also if you ever step up to a larger snake you really wouldn't want to try and get say a 18'+ retic in feeding mode back in the viv!
EL Ziggy
05-19-17, 01:11 PM
@ Griff- I hook train all of my snakes. You don't need a snake hook necessarily though. A paper towel roll will do just fine. Just something to let them know it's not feeding time.
dannybgoode
05-19-17, 01:18 PM
Routine helps as well. I only feed my snakes after lights out & I only handle during the day (my are all nocturnal species) and some snakes (my incoming scrubs for example) very quickly learn to associate the opening of a particular side of the viv with feeding and the other with maintenance and handling.
Scubadiver59
05-19-17, 02:03 PM
Routine helps as well. I only feed my snakes after lights out & I only handle during the day (my are all nocturnal species) and some snakes (my incoming scrubs for example) very quickly learn to associate the opening of a particular side of the viv with feeding and the other with maintenance and handling.

I've got mine trained to come out to feed when I turn on the red lights at night, day their time...except for my Corn, I have to dig her out.
greengriff
05-20-17, 03:12 AM
Thanks again for the detailed replies, this is a great forum.
Azrt
05-21-17, 10:30 AM
Never never never never feed outside of viv....EVER
dannybgoode
05-21-17, 10:33 AM
Never never never never feed outside of viv....EVER

Unless cohabitating. Then it can be a very sensible thing to do. :)
TRD
05-21-17, 02:08 PM
Unless cohabitating. Then it can be a very sensible thing to do. :)

Or one keeps a large scissor handy for those moments when head and tail aren't being eaten by the same inhabitant :D
dannybgoode
05-21-17, 02:10 PM
Or one keeps a large scissor handy for those moments when head and tail aren't being eaten by the same inhabitant :D

That'll work as well :D
akane
05-22-17, 03:56 PM
They know when there is rodent or not. I just don't handle rodents before snakes and don't surprise the snake. They realise there is no rodent before I do anything. If they are more reactive tap train them. I've heard several people say they gave up removing to feed because they got bit more moving them around than handling them in between feeding in the enclosure.