Feeding

[SnakeyJay]

Hi everyone.. Just a quick question. When feeding out of the viv how do you guide your brb's or other snakes back into the viv.? My brb sasha is always wanting to go explore after rather than head back in when I lift the feeding tub to the viv.

[stephanbakir]

Hi everyone.. Just a quick question. When feeding out of the viv how do you guide your brb's or other snakes back into the viv.? My brb sasha is always wanting to go explore after rather than head back in when I lift the feeding tub to the viv.

If time is an issue i would walk her to the viv and place her behind an object if possible, not sure how the door works in your viv as i cant remember it unfortunately but you should have no problems.

If time isn't an issue why not just let her explore a little? The things snakes do when they are allowed to roam can be cool/funny to watch.

That being said, why are you feeding her outside of her viv and not inside?

[SnakeyJay]

That being said, why are you feeding her outside of her viv and not inside?

Loose substrate, so theres a risk of compaction when feeding in the viv....

[Lankyrob]

I put a plate in the viv then tease feed the snake so that they eat on the plate. Just dont try to take the plate out of a retics viv the same day :rolleyes:

[SnakeyJay]

I put a plate in the viv then tease feed the snake so that they eat on the plate. Just dont try to take the plate out of a retics viv the same day :rolleyes:

Lol she tends to eat wherever she pleases in her viv as she has quite a strong feeding response.. Thats also why im asking how ppl get their snakes back in the viv.. Obviously I cant juspt pick her up if she just ate, plus id probably get tagged big time.

[sickvenom]

Hi everyone.. Just a quick question. When feeding out of the viv how do you guide your brb's or other snakes back into the viv.? My brb sasha is always wanting to go explore after rather than head back in when I lift the feeding tub to the viv.

put the feeding tub inside the cage and dump the snake in.

[sassy_snake_lady]

put the feeding tub inside the cage and dump the snake in.

^^ that's what I did, but I now feed all mine in the tubs they live in.

[sickvenom]

^^ that's what I did, but I now feed all mine in the tubs they live in.

in the end, it doesn't really matter. it's situation specific. it's tough to feed dozens of snakes outside of their cages. animal behavior is one of those things we will never figure out 100%.

[SnakeyJay]

ill try that next feed day then... I was just worried about causing undue physical distress and having a regurge situation.. Thanks for the advice sassy and sick!

[sickvenom]

ill try that next feed day then... I was just worried about causing undue physical distress and having a regurge situation.. Thanks for the advice sassy and sick!

in my 30+ years of herp experience, i've never had a regurgitation (knock on everything i can find.) when i feed in a tub, i will let the snake sit there for a little bit so the prey has time to work its way into the stomach. if you gently tilt the tub and let the snake slide into its cage, you shouldn't have a problem.

[SnakeyJay]

Cool.. Sounds like a plan.. So what did you do when you worked with snakes.? Apart from the photography ive seen mentioned..
Hope you dont mind me asking, im just interested. :)

[sickvenom]

Cool.. Sounds like a plan.. So what did you do when you worked with snakes.? Apart from the photography ive seen mentioned..
Hope you dont mind me asking, im just interested. :)

i've been breeding off and on since 1991. i've kept just about everything imaginable. when i was in high school i would buy exotics and resell them for 500%+ profit. i wouldn't recommend that, by the way as many states/cities have regulations you must follow. i've worked with some of the top researchers in washington state, i have worked for a few top rated herp vets in washington and i currently know the top herp vet in arizona. i have 15 years of experience working with hots (snakes and inverts), and around 10 years with venomoids.

[SnakeyJay]

Wow .... Thats very cool.. And you actually got paid to work with snakes, thats so unfair! Jk. Ive tried and tried around here and I cant get anywhere with any openings to work with snakes and all other reptilss... Theres not even any volunteer work I can find... Im hoping to fund my own college course somehow and get a decent amount of experience.. I really want to run a reptile sanctuary/educational facility where peope can come to see and learn about our passion... A pipe dream and abit corny I know but I can hope eh, haha

[sickvenom]

Wow .... Thats very cool.. And you actually got paid to work with snakes, thats so unfair! Jk. Ive tried and tried around here and I cant get anywhere with any openings to work with snakes and all other reptilss... Theres not even any volunteer work I can find... Im hoping to fund my own college course somehow and get a decent amount of experience.. I really want to run a reptile sanctuary/educational facility where peope can come to see and learn about our passion... A pipe dream and abit corny I know but I can hope eh, haha

that's not corny at all. i'm sure there are some big corporations over there who will back you financially, if you were set up as a non profit. i'm not sure how non profits work over there. you could also visit schools and do 'shows.'

[SnakeyJay]

Yeah, I think ive got more chance of joining an existing organisation than starting my own... Definately something to look into though.

[Snakesitter]

On the rare occasions I feed outside the viv, I let the snake sit for a while, then walk the tub back over the viv, and gently lift the snake out and back into its home. Never seems to cause any issues so long as you are gentle and they are handle-friendly to start. Good luck!

[natsamjosh]

I agree with Snakesitter. Gently lifting an already tame snake for a few seconds to gently put it back in its cage isn't going to hurt them. I have to feed my indigo in a separate tub solely because he'll wreck his cage with all the thrashing and chewing and potential bloody mess. I actually gently pick him up and put him back in his cage while the last prey item is still in his mouth, doesn't seem to bother him at all. He ain't gonna let go no matter what I do... :)

[SnakeyJay]

Ill see how it goes. Shes very docile anyway normally. Just not at feeding time lol.

[natsamjosh]

Just not at feeding time lol.

That's why I have to put my indigo back in his cage while his mouth is still busy with the prey... :)

[TeaNinja]

i do both. my BP didn't feel like eating in his shoe box last night so i put him back in the viv and put the rat in the cold side and i woke up and it was gone :)

[Marica]

I feed all but one of my snakes in tubs. I try to not disturb mine until they've completely downed their meal. Then, some I let slither back into their enclosure from the tub, while others seem okay with me picking them up and placing them back into their cage. The ones that I handle I make sure to support about 1/3 and 2/3 down their body so they're not dangling and flailing, and also so that I'm not applying pressure to their mid-section. This is just what I've found works for me.