feeding question

[Gluttony]

[QUOTE=shaunyboy;814536]snakes stomach acid can deal with teeth and bone,imo a bit of substrate will not cause any issues mate

also it's stomach acid remains in the stomach until the prey is fully digested,snakes are completely different to humans,so it's not any use compairing snakes to humans

For the sake of argument,I beg to differ, there is a difference between wood and a mouse & rats organic compounds, teeth and bone get digested and wood comes out the same & CAN cause a blockage, I have seen this first hand in my own collection and is an unnecessary risk. For the tenth time THAT IS MY OPINION dammit & I am not pushing it on the op unlike some others are pushing what works for them.
Why cant people just share what works for them without discrediting others. SMH

[Aaron_S]

[QUOTE=Gluttony;814560]

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

snakes stomach acid can deal with teeth and bone,imo a bit of substrate will not cause any issues mate

also it's stomach acid remains in the stomach until the prey is fully digested,snakes are completely different to humans,so it's not any use compairing snakes to humans

For the sake of argument,I beg to differ, there is a difference between wood and a mouse & rats organic compounds, teeth and bone get digested and wood comes out the same & CAN cause a blockage, I have seen this first hand in my own collection and is an unnecessary risk. For the tenth time THAT IS MY OPINION dammit & I am not pushing it on the op unlike some others are pushing what works for them.
Why cant people just share what works for them without discrediting others. SMH

What species of snake was impacted that you've seen in your collection?

I've never seen impaction by any means in the years I've worked with various different species.

I ask because I'm curious if there's an underlying reason for it. Keeper's are now realizing temperatures are too low for some lizards to eat and digest all prey items properly and I'm wondering if it's true for snake species as well. I know Western Hognose snakes were kept far too cool and now that people are used warmer temperatures they have great eaters all the time, out of the egg as well as better breeding animals.

[jarich]

[QUOTE=Gluttony;814560]

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

snakes stomach acid can deal with teeth and bone,imo a bit of substrate will not cause any issues mate

also it's stomach acid remains in the stomach until the prey is fully digested,snakes are completely different to humans,so it's not any use compairing snakes to humans

For the sake of argument,I beg to differ, there is a difference between wood and a mouse & rats organic compounds, teeth and bone get digested and wood comes out the same & CAN cause a blockage, I have seen this first hand in my own collection and is an unnecessary risk. For the tenth time THAT IS MY OPINION dammit & I am not pushing it on the op unlike some others are pushing what works for them.
Why cant people just share what works for them without discrediting others. SMH

Easy tiger! I agree with you on the digestion of plant versus animal matter. Plant cells are very difficult to break down versus animal cell walls and require different enzymes and gut fauna. Obligate carnivores will generally not be able to digest plant matter at all.

However, with that said Gluttony, you seem to be quite sensitive to people merely disagreeing with you. Shawn wasnt berating you at all but rather very casually stating his own opinion, which was different than yours. It seems like you are suggesting that if you put an opinion down that no one is allowed to question it. However, that is basically the scientific method. Someone states a hypothesis and then it gets tested, argued about, beat up and hopefully through this collective means, comes out better at the other end. We try to keep the personal judgement out of it, like Wayne said, and any name calling or bashing is against the rules, but merely disagreeing and then giving opinions on why should be something you look forward to. We are all, from new keepers to experienced breeders, hopefully always learning through this community process.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Gluttony

..Why cant people just share what works for them without discrediting others. SMH

Just so you can sleep better at night as well.

Because sometimes, what people post isn't right, in the least, no matter what.

[Revenant]

Oh, also, if you're worried about substrate I know a lot of people will put down a paper plate or plastic lid first. They may drag it off, but it could give you some peace of mind.

[Ms. Medusa]

Its funny to me how something as simple as feeding can always prompt a high energy discussion. I tend to agree with Gluttony that everyone WILL chime in on what they have read, practiced themselves or been told by Uncle Joe the Herp Lord...

The reality is--- some snakes may be aggressive in their enclosure, some may not. Some may do fine being fed in a tote (I'm assuming this is something like a plastic container?)

Sure fire thing is? What works for one keeper will not work for another---

When I first started working with snakes I was told 2 hard and fast rules by 2 mentors.

Number one Mentor's advice was: NEVER feed in an enclosure.

Number two Mentor's advice was: ALWAYS feed in an enclosure.

Faced with this excellent contradictory advice....I decided that all other snake keepers should be treated like the In Laws. Nod nicely and thank 'em for their advice, take the bits and pieces that might work for you and use it and do whatever it is that is safe, sound and logical in caring for the snake itself. And in addition 'get to know your snakes behavior, and cues' and watch their reactions...they will tell you what they like and don't like.


I have well over 150 snakes at the moment. I can't pull each and every one out every time I do feedings. So they are mostly fed in their racks. However when I started working with snakes I took every snake out, put it in a 'tote' and fed it there. I have some now I just feed on top of the table while I clean their enclosure....but I've known them for several years and they will eat anyplace.

"Cage Aggression" Some snakes have it and other don't. I've been bitten feeding both ways. Every time it has been my own blessed fault because I wasn't watching what I was doing. I have had some snakes that wouldn't feed well there---so guess what? I changed it up the next time.

Based on what you are saying in this case.... the snake is used to being fed in a tote.. then feed in a tote. If that doesn't work, then you can always try out of the enclosure later. I'd stick to what the snake is used to honestly. Nothing wrong with that at all. And if you don't like this advice...just nod and say think you and do what you want

Good luck with it all! And keep us posted?

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by Ms. Medusa

Sure fire thing is? What works for one keeper will not work for another---

When I first started working with snakes I was told 2 hard and fast rules by 2 mentors.

Number one Mentor's advice was: NEVER feed in an enclosure.

Number two Mentor's advice was: ALWAYS feed in an enclosure....


...I have well over 150 snakes at the moment. I can't pull each and every one out every time I do feedings. So they are mostly fed in their racks. However when I started working with snakes I took every snake out, put it in a 'tote' and fed it there. I have some now I just feed on top of the table while I clean their enclosure....but I've known them for several years and they will eat anyplace...

I like you. That's pretty sound advice and a great way to make your points! Thank you.

[Ms. Medusa]

Originally Posted by exwizard

I like you. That's pretty sound advice and a great way to make your points! Thank you.

Thanks much! I try to keep it as real as possible

[shaunyboy]

your snake will feel more secure feeding in his enclosure,so thats where i'd feed him

imo taking him out to feed will only stress him out more and reduce the chance of him feeding

cheers shaun

[puffinluffin]

Can't we all just get along.

*Backs away*

[KORBIN5895]

This thread has almost left me speechless.....i will keep my opinions to myself as they are irrelevant to the op.

Congrats on getting him to eat puffin. He was probably just stressed.