Which is better and why

Wendtskie · 03-25-12, 06:48 AM

Feeding in the tank or feeding in a seperate empty tank?

Gungirl · 03-25-12, 06:53 AM

There is no reason to feed in a separate tank. That will only add stress.

Terranaut · 03-25-12, 06:58 AM

You will find this topic to be a topic that it is hard to get a straight answer on. Some of us do some not. Up to you but which ever way you choose be sure to put it on a plate or something to keep him from eating his substrate and do not feed on paper towel.

hellosugaree · 03-25-12, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Up to you but which ever way you choose be sure to put it on a plate or something to keep him from eating his substrate and do not feed on paper towel.

Just curious why not on a paper towel?

Terranaut · 03-25-12, 07:31 AM

If it sticks to the prey it goes down with the prey and kills your snake.

KORBIN5895 · 03-25-12, 07:59 AM

Personally both work for me.

Wendtskie · 03-25-12, 08:05 AM

I use reptibark as a subtrate and live feed i usually feed in a different tank but im thinking about changing that and feeding in the tanks but what are the chances of eating the reptibark

exwizard · 03-25-12, 08:34 AM

I use newspaper as substrate all the time and I feed it the tub/tank. Its always better to feed in their enclosures.

youngster · 03-25-12, 08:37 AM

I use paper towel and I just make sure the prey item is totally dry and there's no risk.

Lankyrob · 03-25-12, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendtskie

I use reptibark as a subtrate and live feed i usually feed in a different tank but im thinking about changing that and feeding in the tanks but what are the chances of eating the reptibark

Feeding live is dangerous, feeding live in a tank with hides/substrate etc that the preycan hide in is more dangerous, how are you going to supervise the feeding and intervene if the prey attacks the snake behind the enclosures "furniture"?

alessia55 · 03-25-12, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendtskie

I use reptibark as a subtrate and live feed i usually feed in a different tank but im thinking about changing that and feeding in the tanks but what are the chances of eating the reptibark

Just put the dead prey on a plate/dish inside the tank and he won't eat the substrate.

BarelyBreathing · 03-25-12, 10:53 AM

I feel that it completely depends on the situation. Feeding in the enclosure can result in swallowed bedding (if you use particle bedding), which can result in problems like a splinter in the digestive tract or impaction in a dehydrated animal.

Feeding in a separate enclosure is stressful and can cause a shier snake to go off of food. Also, when you feed in a separate space, this causes you to have to handle your snake once its already in feed mode. Your risk of getting bitten increases.

insignia100 · 03-25-12, 11:37 AM

I do both right now, depending on the snake and how much time I have. So far I have never had a problem with either method. I will be transitioning to feeding in tank exclusively for some of my snakes once I get my Proline cages. I'll be using paper towels or corrugated paper for the bottom (except with my hognoses, since I can feed them on a little saucer on the aspen).

The idea that feeding a snake in its enclosure will condition it to expect prey every time you open the door/lid is, at least in my experience, false. Perhaps its because I ALWAYS handle my snakes a few minutes before feeding, as well as a few times during the week, preventing them from believing (if snakes can "believe") that every time to lid comes off food comes in.

Think about this though... these guys with 10+ foot snakes, or even the 6-8 foot snakes... how convenient is it to move these guys to a feeding enclosure and move them back? Also, like BarelyBreathing mentioned, they are in feeding mode, which can be even more dangerous with these snakes.

lumpbump · 03-25-12, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendtskie

Feeding in the tank or feeding in a seperate empty tank?

I used to feed in a separate tank when i had my first snake which was a ball python. I had done some research and read that snakes can be conditioned to associate lids being removed with food. I didnt want that to happen and i really didnt think that conditioning like that usually happens when feeding time is the only time the cage is opened. Also your going to have to pick up that snake after its ate and move it back to its regular enclosure which can be stressful on your snake.

Feeding in their cage is the way i go now. Its been a few years since ive been keeping snakes so my personal experience and common sense has had time to develop. If your feeding dead prey already then the only real concern is ingestion of indigestible substrate. Just watch them while they are eating. My snakes are kept on aspen and the only time i really have to be concerned is when the rat is basically down the hatch and the snakes mouth is empty. At this time the snakes mouth is open and empty which can collect pieces of substrate as the snake finishes swollowing the tail until the mouth is closed again.

I keep an eye on my boas during feeding time and if there is that occasional small piece of aspen in or half in/out of the snakes mouth i grab my feeding tongs and carefully collect the piece of wood with out touching the snakes mouth in the process so not to disturb then as much as possible.

Jack C · 03-25-12, 03:07 PM

I feed my snakes at night so before lights out i take out the big pieces of decor and push back all the substrate, I use reptibark. It works for me, they strike feed and stay off the substrate during the feeding. Also I was told that if you can reach in to the viv to just fiddle with the substrate or decor a few times a day so that the snake knows that you don't just open it for feeding and your scent is on what you touch too.