Feeding Tubs

Lichjen · 11-01-13, 10:16 PM

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 · 11-01-13, 10:30 PM

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 · 11-01-13, 10:39 PM

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

Mikoh4792 · 11-01-13, 10:50 PM

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 · 11-01-13, 11:05 PM

^^^ 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 · 11-01-13, 11:21 PM

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

Charis · 11-01-13, 11:54 PM

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 · 11-02-13, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 11-05-13, 11:08 AM

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 · 11-05-13, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 11-05-13, 01:15 PM

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 · 11-05-13, 02:20 PM

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 · 11-05-13, 02:31 PM

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 · 11-05-13, 04:23 PM

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 · 11-05-13, 05:40 PM

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)