Seperate feedin' cribz

andybuildz · 08-06-09, 11:09 AM

Waiting on my rat pups to arrive via parcel post so in the interim I fed my 13 month old JCP as many of the previous stash he wanted. He ate all I had l left (5 pinkies).

I got to thinking though..lots of people talk about feeding from a separate tank. I guess it kinda makes sense for several reasons one of which being they won't think your hand is food every time you get them from their tank....

but...then you have to go into it's feeding tank to take it out anyway. Anyone really think they know which tank is which? You still have to go in one way or another.
Does it really matter feeding from a separate tank?

Whoops...just noticed some answers to this questions in another thread...sorree

gonesnakee · 08-06-09, 02:58 PM

Bad idea IMHO better to hook train the snake than to be moving it around when its time to feed or right after being fed. Good way to get bit IMHO Mark
P.S. I feed all my snakes in their enclosures

citysnakes · 08-06-09, 03:34 PM

thats why the "they will think your hand is food" arguement doesnt make sense too me. if a snake can be conditioned to show a feeding response to your hand simply because you feed it inside the enclosure then, by the same reasoning, removing your snake from its living enclosure to its feeding enclosure can condition the animal to show a feeding response every time it is handled. one way suggests conditioning a feeding response to the opening of its enclosure the other way can suggest conditioning a feeding response to handling. so if you feed in a separate enclosure in an attempt to avoid conditioning a feeding response directed to your hand then you actually may be conditioning a feeding response in the animal to handling.

just thinking on screen...

sassamagoo · 08-06-09, 09:56 PM

Actually Julian, that is a very good point. Makes sense to me. I was told the same thing about feeding in a seperate tank when I first got my boa, but switched to just feeding in his enclosure as he seemed more comfortable. I was a little unsure about if I had done the right thing, but what you just wrote is totally valid and actually reassures me.

Besides, as long as you are opening your enclosure regularly for reasons other than feeding (cleaning, water, handling) it shouldn't be a problem I would think. I may be fairly new to snakes, but in the 3 months I've had mine, its obvious to me that my snake knows the difference between me and prey. His attitude and stance COMPLETELY changes when prey is offered.

So I guess I'd say, as long as an owner makes no "Stupid Feeding Mistakes" like reaching for your snake with food smell on your hands, and as long as the snake is used to regular human contact not associated with feeding, feeding in the enclosure shouldn't be a problem.

Great thinking on screen Julian, I loved it!

Sass

andybuildz · 08-07-09, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citysnakes.com

thats why the "they will think your hand is food" arguement doesnt make sense too me. if a snake can be conditioned to show a feeding response to your hand simply because you feed it inside the enclosure then, by the same reasoning, removing your snake from its living enclosure to its feeding enclosure can condition the animal to show a feeding response every time it is handled. one way suggests conditioning a feeding response to the opening of its enclosure the other way can suggest conditioning a feeding response to handling. so if you feed in a separate enclosure in an attempt to avoid conditioning a feeding response directed to your hand then you actually may be conditioning a feeding response in the animal to handling.

just thinking on screen...

Thats exactly what I was trying to say Julian. What makes sense to me is to use long tongs to feed. There's no reason your hand needs to come even close to the snake...which should be obvious anyway. All the snake really comes close to is the prey and the tongs.
That seperate feeding tank makes no sense to me either. Actually seems kinda stoopid.
MY JCP ssems to be finally calming down a bit as of late when I handle him. I was getting bummed out thinking he'd bite me everytime I handle him. Been handling him almost every day for 5-10 minutes so he feels comfortable with me. Seems to be paying off...I'll letcha all know how it goes.