Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Pythons-Blood and Short Tail Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Pythons-Blood and Short Tail Forum

Python_Pete   Elmonoloco   Snakey68   Python_Pete   Littleindiangirl   Snakey68  
 Member  Message

 #1789223


Python_Pete
View Profile

 Feed in enclosure or in separate enclosure?

I have heard different "experts" disagree completely on this subject, and wondered what experienced Blood Python owners have to say on this subject. Some folks insist that snakes should only be fed inside their enclosure, as handling the snake after feeding causes too much stress on the snake. Others have insisted that feeding snakes in their regular enclosures trains the snake to go into feeding mode whenever the enclosure is opened; thus it is better to feed them in a separate enclosure. Also, some snakes (like Crunch) crush their prey so violently that blood, poop and internal organs sometimes are discharged from the rats during feeding, which is easier to clean up in a separate enclosure. What do you folks think?

P.S. Crunch has been fed in a separate tupperware ever since I got him, and he has never regurgitated a meal. I do have to be careful when handling him after eating; I give him at least 15 minutes after the rat is swallowed before I put him back in his regular enclosure.
07/09/08  11:16pm

 #1789327


Elmonoloco
View Profile



   Message To: Python_Pete   In reference to Message Id: 1789223


 Feed in enclosure or in separate enclosure?

I feed all of my snakes in their enclosure. I use newspaper for substrate, so I dont worry about woodchips being swallowed. I have no problems getting my blood in and out of her cage usually. my blood can smell the rat before I even bring it in the room, so she knows when its time to eat and when its not.

so to answer your question, I personally have never had a problem feeding in the snakes enclosure.
07/10/08  01:14am

 #1789805


Snakey68
View Profile



   Message To: Python_Pete   In reference to Message Id: 1789223


 Feed in enclosure or in separate enclosure?

I feed all my snakes royals and bloods in their enclosures I like the hassle free side of not having to move them around.

If the only time you interact with your snake is for feeding I can understand it being accustomed to food when you open its enclosure but if you handle them and take them out for cleaning etc regular then it should not really be a problem. I have had snakes of all kinds for 20 odd years and never had a problem.

The only time I feed separate is for problem feeders.



07/10/08  01:25pm

 #1790600


Python_Pete
View Profile



   Message To: Snakey68   In reference to Message Id: 1789805


 Feed in enclosure or in separate enclosure?

Thanks for the info guys! Fortunately, Crunch is not a fussy eater (knock on wood), so it sounds like it is about time to start feeding him in his enclosure. Branching off my own post topic, at what size do you switch to newspaper? I have held off switching because Crunch still likes to bury himself in his cypress mulch. Wouldn’t being exposed cause him stress? He is maybe 2.5’ long, and perhaps 2" in diameter, so he might still fit in a large hide.



07/10/08  10:44pm

 #1790970


Littleindiangirl
View Profile



   Message To: Python_Pete   In reference to Message Id: 1790600


 Feed in enclosure or in separate enclosure?

I feed all my animals in their enclosures, and only the bloods and corns get FT. The rest eat live domestic rats and ASF.
07/11/08  08:30am

 #1790998


Snakey68
View Profile



   Message To: Python_Pete   In reference to Message Id: 1790600


 Feed in enclosure or in separate enclosure?

Quote:

Wouldn’t being exposed cause him stress? He is maybe 2.5’ long, and perhaps 2" in diameter, so he might still fit in a large hide.



If you think he feel stressed changing to newspaper what you can do is roll up a few sheets in to loose scrumpled balls and throw them in as well to make it feel more secure.



07/11/08  09:02am


Back to Pythons-Blood and Short Tail Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area