is it dumb to feed on repti-bark?

SkYyaMe1623 · 07-14-11, 06:58 PM

as in is there a decent chance your snake can swallow a big piece?

NennaMeerkat · 07-14-11, 07:00 PM

I feed in tank but on a plastic flat hollow hide. If you are using substrate of any kind I consider it a risk always with them ingesting some of it. Why not try a plate or as I do some sort of plastic hollow hide that has a plastic bottom?

TeaNinja · 07-14-11, 07:04 PM

honestly, i feed right on my reptibark. i figure if they eat in the wild with no issues they can eat on the reptibark. that being said, i always watch my snakes eat to make sure they don't get abunch of substrate in their mouth. my female dumerils ate the other day and got a chunk of reptibark in her mouth and she got it out by herself in a few minutes.

but i'd definetly say theres a chance of ingesting the bark. if you're worried about it, use a plate or something to feed on. sometimes it's no use because the snake drags the prey off the plate anyway. that's half the reason i fed my bp in a shoebox instead of the reptibark. now i just get lazy and let them eat on the bark and watch them.

mykee · 07-14-11, 07:41 PM

Quote:

"is it dumb to feed on repti-bark? "

Yes.
Impaction can be very dangerous and could lead to death.

Jay · 07-14-11, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeaNinja

. i figure if they eat in the wild with no issues they can eat on the reptibark.

Most common issue brought up with new owners, your snakes are not in the wild anymore.
No they do not receive a nice fat frozen/thawed rat from above every other week.
If you go by that logic, the moment you provide a heat source, warm meal or a soak in the tub you are immediately contradicting yourself.
As a keeper it is your responsibility to care for these animals taking unnecessary risks is not worth it.

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-14-11, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay0133

Most common issue brought up with new owners, your snakes are not in the wild anymore.
No they do not receive a nice fat frozen/thawed rat from above every other week.
If you go by that logic, the moment you provide a heat source, warm meal or a soak in the tub you are immediately contradicting yourself.
As a keeper it is your responsibility to care for these animals taking unnecessary risks is not worth it.

exactly...

TeaNinja · 07-14-11, 09:24 PM

was gonna comment but i'm over it. your opinions are duely noted.

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-14-11, 09:42 PM

I would have liked to have seen your comment Tea. I enjoy seeing everyones thoughts as there is no right or wrong answer to be exact.

marionsclan · 07-14-11, 10:02 PM

Another reason that speaks for feeding in a separate area. When it is feeding time at my house they go in, feed, and within 20 minutes they are back in their own habitat. Quick, pain free and stress less.

I wouldn't even think of feeding them in anything that has stuff in it they could ingest. My Amber Corn has Aspen in her tank so she can burrow and my BP has coconut fibers to hold the moisture better for humidity. Neither of those substrates would serve well for a feeding platform. But this is what works best for me and my snakes as part of our routine.

DeesBalls · 07-14-11, 10:07 PM

I feed on aspen... never had anything go wrong, but i also WATCH ALL THE FEEDINGS!!! so as long as you watch and are smart about it, nothing can go wrong...

my BRB feeds on forest floor and she also does just fine.. its all about the owner, not the snake eating...

NennaMeerkat · 07-14-11, 10:08 PM

I wish my snake would feed outside her tank but she won't. Spends hours easily just trying to get out of the feeding tub I put her in. Tried a bag, same thing, ect. ect. However in her tank in the hide I have she will immediately eat quickly. Usually done within 10 min. without any worry of substrate getting digested. There are safe ways of feeding in their home that uses substrate and if your snake won't eat outside of their home you are pretty much forced to do it that way.

marionsclan · 07-14-11, 10:21 PM

I can see both your points and like I said, my way works best for us. Mainly because I don't sit and watch them eat all the time. I make sure the head goes in first and then move on to other things, while checking occasionally. Once one snake is done, the tank gets cleaned and the next one gets to go.

I simply like to minimize the risks and because I can't control how my snakes eat and what they pick up along the way, I prefer to exclude additives. Of course when you see your snake ingest (not just pick up) something you can always jump in and get it with tweezers but that creates an awful lot of stress for all parties involved (me not wanting to do it and she not wanting to have it done). But we all do what we think is the best for the snake and that's what counts.

DeesBalls · 07-14-11, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marionsclan

I can see both your points and like I said, my way works best for us. Mainly because I don't sit and watch them eat all the time. I make sure the head goes in first and then move on to other things, while checking occasionally. Once one snake is done, the tank gets cleaned and the next one gets to go.

I simply like to minimize the risks and because I can't control how my snakes eat and what they pick up along the way, I prefer to exclude additives. Of course when you see your snake ingest (not just pick up) something you can always jump in and get it with tweezers but that creates an awful lot of stress for all parties involved (me not wanting to do it and she not wanting to have it done). But we all do what we think is the best for the snake and that's what counts.

each person has their own way of doing things i suppose... whatever works for them is what is important..

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-14-11, 11:24 PM

I feed in the snakes cage. Im not worried about impaction because i take steps to ensure that wont happen. It would be unnecessary handling to remove them from there comfortable environment to feed. Alot of people say they remove there snakes because they dont want to associate coming in the cage to get them; with food. Not an issue on my end lol. Like i said there's not really a right or wrong.

NennaMeerkat · 07-14-11, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD35WIN.AS.ONE

I feed in the snakes cage. Im not worried about impaction because i take steps to ensure that wont happen. It would be unnecessary handling to remove them from there comfortable environment to feed. Alot of people say they remove there snakes because they dont want to associate coming in the cage to get them; with food. Not an issue on my end lol. Like i said there's not really a right or wrong.

You know it is funny I have to often nudge my snake into wakefulness to let her know it is chow time. If I didn't nudge her I think she would just miss dinner all together. Today in fact she came out and gave me the WTF look (at least that is how I perceived it) before she realized the smell of toad in her hide.