Feed in the enclosure or out of it?

Pogie · 04-27-15, 04:08 PM

I've read different opinions on if you should feed the snake in its home or out of it. What do you all do?

metalcopper · 04-27-15, 04:50 PM

Feed in, no need to take them out, unless you're using a substrate that you're worried about them swallowing.

**EL Ziggy** · 04-27-15, 05:06 PM

I feed all my snakes inside their enclosures. Never had any issues with aggression or ingested substrate.

reptiledude987 · 04-27-15, 05:07 PM

I agree. but even if substrate consumption is a concern you can put the food item on a plate or paper towel to prevent ingestion. moving them in and out of the enclosure just causes undue stress.

Pogie · 04-28-15, 12:38 PM

Thank you for the replies. I just wanted someones opinion who I can actually ask and not read on the internet. I fed Tyrion his first mouse today since I got him and he ate like a champ! Makes mother so proud rotfl....I was worried about feeding f/t since the guy at the store was giving him live since he got him, but no problem in that area

**millertime89** · 04-28-15, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogie

Thank you for the replies. I just wanted someones opinion who I can actually ask and not read on the internet. I fed Tyrion his first mouse today since I got him and he ate like a champ! Makes mother so proud rotfl....I was worried about feeding f/t since the guy at the store was giving him live since he got him, but no problem in that area

I'm happy for you.

As others have said, there's really no reason to not feed in his enclosure. I've fed every snake I've ever owned in their enclosure and have never once had a problem, even with substrate.

RAD House · 04-28-15, 01:56 PM

There seems to be two very differing opinions about this topic and they seem to highly segregated by source. Almost all care guides I read suggest feeding in a separate container, but most if not all on forums seem to agree that feeding in the tank is best. I can't understand why there is such a difference of opinions and why the two sources seem so split. Initially due to the care guide advice and now due to my personal preference, I have always fed in a separate container.

**millertime89** · 04-28-15, 01:58 PM

Care guides are generally based on old info, put together by people that don't have much experience, and are never updated. Ask breeders who keep large numbers of the animals what they recommend. Aaron and Jerry (the snake man) are great sources here as they have tons of experience.

Bluz Brotherz · 04-28-15, 02:34 PM

I feed all of my animals inside the enclosure except for my two female KSB's who I separate to avoid a potential vet visit and bloody hand. That's really the only true reason to feed in separate containers, to avoid tussles over food between communally-kept specimens.

SSSSnakes · 04-28-15, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

Care guides are generally based on old info, put together by people that don't have much experience, and are never updated. Ask breeders who keep large numbers of the animals what they recommend. Aaron and Jerry (the snake man) are great sources here as they have tons of experience.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. As stated I always feed in their enclosures. It makes the snake feel more secure and less chance of you getting bit.

RAD House · 04-28-15, 02:44 PM

Well I certainly hope they weigh in. I have a few specific concerns about this issue. I know people say they eat of the dirt in the wild and I agree, but just based on the likelihood of dirt causing impaction compared to wood shavings I don't see this as a valid point. Due to the particle size of aspen shavings compared to fine grains of dirt seem to suggest it would get impacted much more easily. Also I feel like there is some trust building associated in the process of taking them out to feed. I have noticed that since I started doing this that they are pretty keen when I am taking them out to feed compared to taking them out to "socialize" them. They tend to fuse a lot less on feeding day when being handled, probably a learned behavior as I feed them on the same day every week. Also after their meal they now more or less crawl onto my hand to get put back into their enclosure. Not once during this process has a regurg occurred. So if you are tong feeding and not touching the snake what so ever then do you earn as much trust? The last reason is just to be able to monitor their eating. My guys both trash around quite a bit before beginning to swallow, and if fact sometimes after this show they simply drop the mouse and seem to explore. I have gotten into the habit of getting them interested in the mouse again by wiggling it around with the tongs, which always seem to do the trick. Would it be more stressful for the snake for me to be tearing up its enclosure to make sure the mouse is eaten or gently handle it to and from its enclosure? Plus it is gives me peace of mind having no doubts. The last point may just be a personal one as I tend to obsess. I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

RAD House · 04-28-15, 02:48 PM

Also I assume that both the old and new information came from personal experience of mainly breeders, so I am just curious as to why the new holds so much validity in forums.

Pogie · 04-28-15, 02:49 PM

I always thought if you are suppose to feed them in a different area, and then your told not to handle them after they eat how do you get them back home? On the other hand I also understand if you didn't they got aggressive because they associated you opening the door with feeding time and would bite the hand that feeds them lol. Anyway that's what all the info that I have run into until I started reading this forum. I prefer to feed him in his own enclosure. That's pretty much why I joined so I could actually "talk" to people who have snakes and not just read about it

RAD House · 04-28-15, 02:58 PM

I am with you pogie it is nice actually discuss such matters and not just read them. I think the biggest reason to not handle after feeding is to not cause a regurgitation due to stress. From my personal experience and what I have read this would only happen with a long time being handled not just a short trip back into their tank.

Pogie · 04-28-15, 03:06 PM

Oh lol, well I don't want to hurt Tyrion so I want to do things right. I thought if you just picked them up it make them up their lunch. But again that's why I'm here, to learn.

Another reason I asked was because I have read that kingsnakes are aggressive feeders and it's not a good idea to handle them even if they are full because they can go into a feeding frenzy of some sort. Again not sure but just what I've been reading. If that's the case I much rather feed him in his home rather than chance a bite moving him around during such a feeding rotfl.

I don't mind the thoughts of getting bit but I really don't want to encourage it either