Feeding in seperate enclosure

AS_Legion · 11-10-13, 11:03 PM

I was at a breeder (ball pythons and corns) over the weekend that also breeds his own feeder mice and rats. After we talked for a while I mentioned that I want to get a larger snake, either a BCI or a CCP.

The breeder said that they used to breed with them but stopped as the snakes (under his opinion) will always get aggressive and start biting when they are older.

Just before leaving, the breeder mentioned that I should use a seperate tub to feed them.... and this got me thinking... could that be the reason that the snakes got aggressive?

I am fairly new to the trade but always fed my snake in its own enclosure. Also a lot of people say that tub feeding is 'old school' and has since proven wrong.

What are your guys' opinion on this? Could the tub feeding make larger (normally more docile) snakes aggressive?

DeadlyDesires · 11-10-13, 11:26 PM

tub feeding is a preference more than anything.. i personally don't think either way makes much of a difference... however you probably should just feed in the enclosure unless you have your snakes in the same enclosure (not recommended). mine get fed inside their cages..never had any problems yet

formica · 11-11-13, 04:09 AM

snakes are individuals, you cannot say for sure that one will or will not become aggressive (most likley defensive, not aggresive either way), and vice versa - sounds like he was just unfortunete in the snakes he owned - that said, breeders do not always keep their snakes as pets, wouldnt suprise me if his boa's spent most of their time in solitary with little contact, in which case it is no suprise that they become defensive.

feeding in a separate tub, imo, is simply adding stress - the main concern people have is impaction, but with correct setup, this should not ever be an issue

KORBIN5895 · 11-11-13, 05:17 AM

I keep all of my snakes in"solitary" and seldom interact with them other than food water and cleaning. My cranky ones are still cranky and my laid back ones are still laid back. While I think that handling them can help tame them I don't believe that it really plays that big of a role in their personality.

As for why this guy was getting bit I would say it had more to do with trying to handle a large snake in feed mode.

kwhitlock · 11-11-13, 06:49 AM

I read the same thing when I first started, after trying it a few times, I found my snake refused to leave the feed box to go back into her enclosure. I said screw it, not worth it. So I'm feeding them inside of their enclosure now, and I'm going to start hook training to help with aggressiveness. Talked to a breeder at the local expo Saturday, he had some red tails that were the biggest babies I have ever seen, he also said that it would help with nervous snakes that run soon as you touch them. How much of it's true, I have yet to know, but it's worth a shot!

knox · 11-11-13, 07:26 AM

Do what you want! The snakes have no preference, although I would say they might not enjoy being handled with a full belly to be moved back to their enclosure.

I do both, depending on whether it's cleaning day or not. But mostly, I feed in their enclosure. I have never had a mellow snake become cage aggressive. Nor have I had an aggressive snake become mellow based on where I feed them.

AS_Legion · 11-12-13, 06:50 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Gives me lots of food for thought.

@ kwhitlock: What do you mean by hook training?

Do you know any website specifically for this?
(please noone answer 'Google'. I would much rather have a reliable source that is recommended by a member than read 10 different opinions and methods. Thanks)

DeadlyDesires · 11-12-13, 10:44 AM

if you search the forum and type in hooktraining you will find some very good threads and videos within them to help you get a better understanding.. basically its using a hook to help let your snake know you arent food and are going to touch them so they aren't in feeding mode.. its great for aggressive snakes as well.

Sharlynn93 · 11-12-13, 09:24 PM

i read that if using eco earth you shouldn't feed in the enclosure due to possible ingestion and impaction? i just switched to eco earth and wonder if i should use feeding tubs now?

DeadlyDesires · 11-12-13, 09:49 PM

if your snake is healthy and cared for with proper heat and humidity they should not get impacted.

AS_Legion · 11-12-13, 10:21 PM

Hi Deadly,

thanks for the heads up

I am really enjoying this forum as it is a lot more active than most. By some you wait for ages for a response.

Sharlynn93 · 11-12-13, 10:27 PM

thanks, DD...right now she eats live (just got her) so its probably not really an issue, but i am going to try and switch her to f/t so those may pick up substrate more...

TarantulaSteve · 11-19-13, 02:36 AM

I was originally told to feed outside the enclosure so the snake never associates your entering the enclosure with feeding, and much the same way they can learn to associate certain things with feeding time, a feeding bin is one of them. Id love to say I know my red tail goes into feeding mode the second shes in her bin, but I could be misinterpreting her behaviour.

formica · 11-19-13, 04:34 AM

I have always used long tongs to feed, my hands do not enter the enclosures on feeding day, so there is no association to be made between me and the food

Terranaut · 11-19-13, 05:27 AM

Same here ,20"tongs. My hand never enters unless handling.