Feeding Tubs

[Lichjen]

who uses them? I read they are better - esp for those who are frequent handlers of their snakes. So no accidental bites happen that you should have a tub.

I am getting a new boy this week - and I was hoping to start them both on the feeding tub (once he gets adjusted)

How big of hook? - since it is only for feeding/transporting to evac box


BUT then I have heard to keep doing what I am doing. Put the warm rat in her enclosure

[MDT]

Liz...no to feeding tubs. It really just complicates the whole matter. There is no cogent argument to be made validating feeding your animal in a separate container. Hook train-yes, feeding tub-no. Thaw the rat (or mouse), offer prey off of forceps in the snake's enclosure. You should be fine...

[Lichjen]

So, I'll go ahead and continue what I have been doing - you're the 2nd person to mention that

[Mikoh4792]

I'll be the 3rd. I feed all my snakes in their enclosures, I get no feeding response bites out of the cage. The only snakes that have ever bit me in a feeding response in my entire life were california kingsnakes...but thats only because they will eat anything, anywhere, anytime.

I actually think feeding in a seperate container will be more of a risk of eliciting a feeding response bite, as they can associate being taken out of the cage with feeding.

[LadyWraith]

^^^ This. I'll be the 4th to agree. I can't imagine handling my snakes in feed mode. Pretty sure I'd have a blood limb for my troubles.

[Lichjen]

thanks again guys! We'll keep it as it is and for the newby too

[Charis]

I don't think it really matters, except depending a bit on the species and individual needs of your snake. I feed almost all of ours in tubs and don't find it a hassle. I usually use feeding time to spot clean cages, which is easier to do without the snake in the cage. I have personally witnessed at least two or three of my own snakes become a bit more aggressive when they were being fed in their cages for awhile and it went away when they were moved to tubs for eating but haven't noticed a change one way or another with others to how they are fed.
Of course, the GTP gets fed in his cage, trying to do anything else with a species like that would be stupid!
On the other hand, a few of my colubrids actually need to be placed in a small enclosure, covered up and left alone for awhile for them to eat at all.

[exwizard]

I don't think it really matters, except depending a bit on the species and individual needs of your snake. I feed almost all of ours in tubs and don't find it a hassle. I usually use feeding time to spot clean cages, which is easier to do without the snake in the cage. I have personally witnessed at least two or three of my own snakes become a bit more aggressive when they were being fed in their cages for awhile and it went away when they were moved to tubs for eating but haven't noticed a change one way or another with others to how they are fed.
Of course, the GTP gets fed in his cage, trying to do anything else with a species like that would be stupid!
On the other hand, a few of my colubrids actually need to be placed in a small enclosure, covered up and left alone for awhile for them to eat at all.

That's an interesting cleaning/feeding routine you have going there. For me, I clean on Saturday, all the while handling them as I clean their tubs/cages. After they have fresh newspaper laid out and fresh water, I gently put them back and close it up. Feeding Day is on Sunday and with that, I open their tub/cage and drop it in, watching for the hit. As soon as that happens, I move on to the next one, until every scheduled snake has his/her meal. I have pretty good luck with the feeding response of all of them but on the other days, they are as tame as can be. Oh, and I can relate to your experience with your GTP. There is no way, I'm pulling out my Scrub during feeding time! *shudders*

[MONIKAZEMA]

I feed all of my boas in separate tubs except for the dumerils boa. One time I did feed them in their own enclosure and immediately regretted it, the lingering scent of prey had them very excited for quite a while.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I feed all of my boas in separate tubs except for the dumerils boa. One time I did feed them in their own enclosure and immediately regretted it, the lingering scent of prey had them very excited for quite a while.

How long did you wait to handle them, and how well-ventilated are their enclosures? I feed in the enclosure and I've never had an issue like this before; my two guys are always calmed down within 24 hours, although I only bother them earlier than 3 days if I need do work in their enclosure. I never get struck reaching for them, or even a defensive posture or excited behavior. Although I've rarely been bitten/struck at by my boa, all of those instances happened during the time I was feeding outside the enclosure.

[Tinaboa]

I use one when I feed my Boa. I've never fed her inside of her enclosure so I don't know about her getting nippy everytime I try to take her out. However, everytime I put her in her feeding tub she goes instantly into hunt mode.

[MizCandice]

The only time I feed seperate is a difficult baby ( corns for example) then I may place them in a small deli dish covered so there is less distraction and they can eat. I find that all my snakes are hopefull they are being ed when i open the tops of their enclosures. When they realize they're not getting a tidbit at the moment they relax. Good luck!

[MONIKAZEMA]

I don't handle for two days after feeding, the enclosure is well ventilated however I feed "live" (stunned) mice, so that may have made the scent stick around longer.
Either way, that's just my personal way of doing it, I find it much more sanitary and the snakes are much calmer after eating in a separate tub.

[erichillkeast]

IMO it's an unnecessary risk moving a boa that smells food into a feeding tank. I can't even walk by my boa when rats are thawing without it striking the glass, let alone take it out of it's enclosure.

[Lichjen]

ok, now I'm trying to figure out what is best.. to feed her (and now him) in their enclosure - or move them into a feeding tank.

Esp b/c next year I am getting ball pythons, then green tree pythons, then retics, and an anaconda, and Burmese - i want to keep the same pattern for all my snakes - (yeah I am gonna have a big collection, once I have the room)

[Charis]

All of those species are either ones that absolutely need fed in the homes or typically do well fed in home, so I'd just stay with that. But it is possible you might have to vary your feeding routine for one or two of your individual snakes, as some individuals do have different preferences.

[KORBIN5895]

ok, now I'm trying to figure out what is best.. to feed her (and now him) in their enclosure - or move them into a feeding tank.

Esp b/c next year I am getting ball pythons, then green tree pythons, then retics, and an anaconda, and Burmese - i want to keep the same pattern for all my snakes - (yeah I am gonna have a big collection, once I have the room)

Well once you try moving a 10' snake in feed mode I can almost guarantee you won't try again.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Well once you try moving a 10' snake in feed mode I can almost guarantee you won't try again.

Exactly what I was going to say. Not only are they going to attack you (and you're going to know it), but they are going to be HEAVY, strong, and not willing to cooperate. That's just a recipe for disaster.

[MONIKAZEMA]

Korbin5895, this just might be the most convincing statement regarding this issue.