Kingsnake substrate

[spankygaaarge]

i was told you should always feed them in a different container to where they live, so they dont expect food everytime you open their tank to take them out (so they dont mistake your hand as food....... Is this right???? we've always fed spanky in a different tub............

[Will0W783]

I don't feed mine in separate containers; I've found that removing them to feed leads them to learn that coming out means they will be fed and becoming nippy whenever they are put in a container other than the cage, no matter the reason.

[spankygaaarge]

what if we take him out every day anyway to handle him????

[Will0W783]

That should be fine, but I've found removing to feed isn't necessary. Also with the number of snakes I have, removing everyone to feed them would take hours and hours. We finally have it down to where we can feed everyone in about 30-40 minutes, provided they all eat willingly. It's an endeavor, but I do love watching them eat...so fascinating and they love it too, of course.

[spankygaaarge]

i can see how that would be a challenge............ lol, dont think we are ready to expand our mob just yet tho, when we think we have enough knowledge to add more to the brood maybe we'll try a carpet python ............. i really like the look of the diamond and jungle pythons, beautiful colours !!!!!!!!!!!!

[dragunov.762]

I feed Nex (a mexican black king snake) in a seperate container and he i put into the container first and then fed. he gets a little nippy after he is done but he calms down quick and i have never been bit by him. he never strikes though when i get him out of his main cage. my old snake (a striped cal king) never struck at all even at her food ( i feed frozen). for a small collection i would feed in a seperate container or put the prey item on a plate or something in their cage so they can't ingest the bedding. snakes know their feeding schedule though. if i didn't put the mouse in first with my old snake she would not eat and now if i don't put nex in first he will not eat.

[spankygaaarge]

Originally Posted by dragunov.762

for a small collection i would feed in a seperate container or put the prey item on a plate or something in their cage so they can't ingest the bedding.

We feed ours live prey so on a plate isnt an option but we find feeding in a seperate container is good, he knows as soon as he's put in there whats comming........... cause it takes him about 4 sec (we timed it once) to have it curled up nice an tight...........
We were told not to feed in his enclosure so we never did............ we like putting him into the tub to feed anyway gives us a chance to watch, also makes for great photo oppotunities )))

[infernalis]

After losing a couple "higher end" (expensive) snakes to substrate ingestion, I feed most of my snakes in feed boxes exclusively.

[blkjkoknhrt]

I use coconut fibre, and I find it doesnt stick to even damp prey items as long as it's dry and clean - scoops well, no odor and cheap, too.

[Lankyrob]

Have used Aspen but now use Repti-Bark as i have someone who can sell it to me wholesale which works out a hell of a lot cheaper - i keep a spare faunarium for feeding the smaller snakes in and a plastic tub for the bigger ones.