dumi is eating

[donfad]

I am so excited, as my new dumerils ate. I tried feeding her in a separate cage, as is what I do with my ball with great success, but not so with my dumeril. I tried again tonight, and again no luck, so I put the mice in her cage and within a half hour the mice were gone. I couldn't have been happier. I learn from my snakes to be more adaptable with what they are comfortable with, and what is good for one snake may not be good for the other.

[Tsubaki]

Good that she is eating! May i ask why you decided to feed her in a separate cage?

[EL Ziggy]

Congrats on the successful feed. I used to feed them in separate bins at first, now all my snakes get fed in their enclosures. It's so much simpler for me and the snakes.

[Snakesitter]

Congrats on a successful feed! I feel all mine in their enclosures as well.

[sharthun]

Congrats on a successful feed! I feel all mine in their enclosures as well.

Congrats!!! Ditto. ^^^^^^^^^^

[donfad]

Ya, I was totally against feeding her in her enclosure but she wouldn't eat in a separate box, and I even made it comfortable for her, with bedding to hide under, but she still didn't feel comfortable. I may try again at some point, but I will give her time. I feed my ball in a separate container and she has no problems; however this last feeding she was so aggressive, she attacked the first mouse before it even reached the bottom of her box, and did the same for the second. I was afraid she may bite me when it was time to take her out, and sure enough she did. I patted her back, and then picked her up and she struck. First time, so I was shocked. She was wild caught and I have had her about a month (she's a little over a year old). I was so proud of her because she at first was so shy and now was feeling more comfortable and friendlier. I will need suggestions on how I should proceed to get her out of her feeding box now (perhaps a snake hook)?

[EL Ziggy]

Why are you opposed to feeding in their enclosures don? It's less stressful for you and your snakes if they're fed inside their enclosures. I have (2) king snakes and a bull snake and they all have very strong feeding responses. I wouldn't want to try getting them out of a separate bin when they're still in feeding mode.

[Mikoh4792]

I see no reason for feeding in a seperate enclosure. Increases stress and discomfort for the snake to be moved before and after eating.

[donfad]

There are two opposing views on the subject and both have equal merits. I try to do what is best for the snake and to prevent from aggression. I have had good luck with her feeding in separate enclosure but may have to change my tactics, after this last episode. It is so difficult to do the right thing, as there are so many people that will tell you never to feed the snake in their enclosure, which is what I followed, and now I see it may not be the best method. Thanks so much for your responses and advice.