Who goes in first???

[lucky8926]

When feeding in a different container (one he doesn't live in) which should be put in first, the prey or the snake? How long after he eats should I wait until I put him back in his living enclosure?

[Phrasty]

IMHO i think feeding in the enclosure they live in is less stressful on the snake, i just have a feeding area in the enclosure (its just like a 14" tile) i feed on. but hey some people like to feed somewhere else. when i used to feed somewhere else id put the snake in first and with tongs id lower the f/k or f/t rate or mouse in there with the snake and leave them for some quality time, i usually wait 10 - 15 mins after feeding has finished, then i carefully put the snake back after washing hands thoroughly if you have to touch the snake at all.
good luck..

phrasty

[fade2black]

Isn't it better to feed in a different container? I have always been told not to feed in the enclosure they live in because they think every time the door opens or the top comes off, it is feeding time.

[justinO]

NO, it's not better to feed in another container, it's not necessary unless they refuse to eat in their own enclosure.

like already said, it's less stressful for the snake to feed where it lives.

that thing about them thinking it's feeding time when the door opens I've only heard (and seen) true for like, retics and some other huge snakes. Don't worry about your ball python!

Jessy

[fade2black]

OK, thanks!

[Phrasty]

well it would be true if you only feed him, but im sure you handle him too, so everytime you open the "door" the ratio of feeding to handling/ cleaning, im sure handling/ cleaning is higher. so as justino said you dont have to worry bout your ball. ;)

again good luck..

Phrasty

[lucky8926]

Another reason I don't want to feed him in his living enclosure is so he won't swallow any substrate. I didn't want this to turn into a where to feed topic since it has already been beaten to death.

[RepTylE]

I would put your BP in there and then go and thaw the prey animal. Then he could have a little time to settle a bit before you give him his dinner.
Unless you have a particularly skittish BP. After you see that he has finished eating go and read the new posts on ssnakess then after an hour or so you can put him back in his enclosure.
The idea of not feeding him in his enclosure is a good one. If not for anything more than peace of mind it is worth it to do.
It's YOUR snake and if you feel more comfortable using a feed box then do it.

[Lokismommy]

When I feed my ball python I feed him on the tongs then he gets a good bite on the prey so I don't have to worry about the substrate. And for my other snakes like the colubrids I put their food on a papertowel that way they get a clean bite. Of course just be careful when you pull the papertowel out later make sure to wash your hands first.

[guitrage]

Even if the snake strikes the food on a clean surface, isn't it possible that it will drag the food item on the substrate and get shavings stuck to the mouse that way?

[lucky8926]

Originally posted by guitrage
Even if the snake strikes the food on a clean surface, isn't it possible that it will drag the food item on the substrate and get shavings stuck to the mouse that way?

Thats kind of what I was thinking.

[RepTylE]

That is why I made the statement about using a feed box if that makes you feel more comfortable about feeding your snake. It's your choice whether or not to take that into consideration.

[nita]

I have some that eat in feed boxes others that I feed in their enclosures. Depends on the snake. The ones that feed out of their enclosures are strikers, meaning they will only take the food off the tongs and I have to make it dance, if I were to put it in their house and leave it they would ignore it. The ones that eat in their enclosures two of the smaller ones still take it off the tongs but the bigger ones that eat "in" I just give it to them and leave them and they eat it but if mine don't start eating within 1/2 hour I take it out cause I have never had one wait that long before eating, I have in the past left it over night just to toss it the next morning. After 1/2 hour at least I can offer it to someone else or refreeze it if nescesary.

[Phrasty]

well i guess im a bit different, i custom made my enclosure with a kinda feeding compartment built in It has no loose substrate in it, but it does have a hide that she regularly retreats into to eat. i guess in a way it kinda is a "seperate area" the only thing is that she totally comfortable being in there so its no stress to her..

phrasty

[RepTylE]

Originally posted by Phrasty
well i guess im a bit different, i custom made my enclosure with a kinda feeding compartment built in It has no loose substrate in it, but it does have a hide that she regularly retreats into to eat. i guess in a way it kinda is a "seperate area" the only thing is that she totally comfortable being in there so its no stress to her..

phrasty

That is a pretty good idea. I might try integrating that sort of thing in the designs for my BP enclsures in the future. Thanks for sharing that idea, Phrasty

[Markus Jayne]

Where they live...they eat.

Mark