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#223021
Pixiefaerie
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So many questions... 
Yes, another post from me  lol. *new snake owner here*. OK...tonight we went to feed the lil guy, and he bit us for the first time. What is better, handle him more so he gets used to us, or letting him be alone? Also, how do you guys feed your snakes? We’ve had him for a little over a week. He has eaten twice for is. We were putting him in a dark, solid rubbermaid container, and he was eating fine (except tonight, too much stress for him). We need some basic snake handling tips, please.
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01/16/05 2:22am
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#223043
Eunectes4
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Message To: Pixiefaerie In reference to Message Id: 223021
So many questions...
basic tip #1 dont handle while feeding basic tip #2 handle him enough to be used to handling (he will never be used to "you") basic tip#3 if you can go without handling then do that because they dont need it
basic tip #4 you may feed it the cage if you have a 1 piece substrate that cant be injested...this lowers the stress of moving the snake. Still make sure your lights are out and you are not around the encolure to disturb him. hope this helps
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01/16/05 2:59am
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#223078
N2t
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Message To: Eunectes4 In reference to Message Id: 223043
So many questions...
tip snakes feed by smell and heat, you probably smelled like rat, and were warmer, most likely a sfm (stupid feeding mistake) the also will continue to look for food right after being fed, if u can easiest to feed in the enclosure so he doesn’t think your moving warm hand in an enclosure that now smells like food is another food item. Make sure he can’t eat the substrate. Tip two, feed responce and aggression are completely different, don’t think your snake is getting "mean". Tip three, if u don’t want to handle u don’t have to, if you do, time and how depends on the snake, I have heard of bp’s that won’t eat if u move them, I can walk around walmart for two hours, go home, type on the comp with him on my lap for another two hours, pop him in his tank, defrost a rat and feed, my bp is not normal though...I think he has deep personal issues. Handle until u think u r causeing to much stress, some bp’s don’t stress easily and will not care what u do to them, some will stress if your shoes and shirt clash, learn you snake, and have fun.
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01/16/05 6:53am
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#223106
Eunectes4
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Message To: N2t In reference to Message Id: 223078
So many questions...
I have some ball pythons that would eat with me holding them if i let them and i could move them around when they are in the middle of eating without them even thinking about anything but the food. I have others that will only eat when completely secure and I need to leave the ft rat in there for them to find and eat on their own. Its just difference between snakes. Ball pythons are also not very smart nor do they have good eyesight (probably the worst of all my snakes) so they miss food easily and depend on heat and movement alot. Once some start to even smell food, they will be striking at everything that moves for a few hours.
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01/16/05 8:48am
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#223254
Djm4life666
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Message To: Eunectes4 In reference to Message Id: 223106
So many questions...
TO make it simple.. IF u picked up the mouse and put it in the feeding container then touched the snake after ure hands smelled like mouse. that would b 1 reason. another reason would be of stress. they are instictiveley afraid of humans if u scared it dont take the bite personal (At all) it will get over it like it never happened.
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01/16/05 1:12pm
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#223855
Pixiefaerie
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Message To: Djm4life666 In reference to Message Id: 223254
So many questions...
Whats the best way to feed it? In a seperate container, or the cage? Also, at night, he sometimes tips-over his hide, we replaced the plastic one with a smaller, cardboard box. I have read that you shouldn’t handle the snake until it has had at least 4 feedings in a row. True?
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01/17/05 2:09am
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#223920
N2t
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Message To: Pixiefaerie In reference to Message Id: 223855
So many questions...
I am bad about handling, I handle all the time..accept in blue, or within 24 hours after feeding, if it’s not those two times, I’m handling...probably not the best thing, but, I have not had any problems. I feed in enclosure, again no problems.
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01/17/05 8:04am
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#223930
SCSnakeman
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Message To: Pixiefaerie In reference to Message Id: 223855
So many questions...
Feeding either way is fine but if you feed in the enclosure and you are using substrate that the snake can swallow, put down a sheet of newspaper or something and place the food on so it can’t swallow the substrate. I feed mine in separate cages. I don’t think there is a "best" way, just what works for you and which way you like the best.
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01/17/05 8:36am
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#223963
Pixiefaerie
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Message To: SCSnakeman In reference to Message Id: 223930
So many questions...
Alright. I have been feeding in a seperate enclosure. I have heard that if you feed them in their cage, then they associate that with food, and they may go after your hand thinking its food. I dunno, I’ll try it in the cage and see what happens.
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01/17/05 10:09am
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#224992
Pelota
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Message To: Pixiefaerie In reference to Message Id: 223963
So many questions...
That’s just a myth. Your hands will be fine, lol. The only way there’d be even a chance of having a snake associate your hand with food is if you never went into the cage for anything other than feeding. Then MAYBE that’d happen, but not likely. They go by scent, and heat. Sure, if you rub your hand all over a rat or mouse, then put your toasty warm hands in front of the snake, it might strike. But it’s a feeding response due to the scent. Has nothing to do with the misconception you mentioned. 
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01/18/05 12:56am
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