Feeding in cage or in a separate enclosure?

[Chip]

As in, why people say a snake should be fed outside of the enclosure because it will associate you opening the enclosure with food and become aggressive...

Internet regurgitation. I have fed dozens and dozens of snakes both ways, and have come to the conclusion that feeding outside the viv has no impact on aggressiveness. High strung snakes will calm some with frequent handling, but whether or not this is right before feeding time seems to make no difference.

 

[codymi]

i always feed in their tubs, unless they're problem feeders. i only have two that have been overly aggressive at feeding time and they're both tequila sunrises.

 

[ratsncorns]

I used to feed in separate containers but then I got lazy. I didn't like having the separate feeding bins laying around, and it was just more convenient to feed in their enclosures. I never noticed any difference in their behaviors between the two methods. I just make sure the mice I give them are very dry so none of the bedding gets stuck to the fur.

I said both in the survey though because I feed all snakes eating pinks in separate containers. Its just impossible to keep aspen off the pinkies and it gives me handling time for the babies, since they are more skittish than the adults. Plus, I do weigh the hatchlings every other week or so, which I do before feeding. I also have a spotted python that rarely eats in her cage, only in another feeding container. No clue why.

 

[Xerneas]

Internet regurgitation. I have fed dozens and dozens of snakes both ways, and have come to the conclusion that feeding outside the viv has no impact on aggressiveness. High strung snakes will calm some with frequent handling, but whether or not this is right before feeding time seems to make no difference.

I am a pretty firm believer in feeding in the enclosure, so I hope you didn't think that I personally believed that it contributes to aggressiveness. I can't really tell, so just clearing that up. But yes, agreed.

 

[Nanci]

Well, I think a lizard _does_ associate you with food- but more in a hopeful manner. The snake, in my experience with snakes that do this, which is not all of them, will strike at movement, and then decide if they connected with food. My two kingsnakes, in particular, will strike at movement near their cages, which are clear plexiglass on three sides. It's definitely hunting-oriented, not aggressiveness or defensiveness.

 

[NH93]

I'm sure people have already pointed out, that part of (maybe all for some) feeding out of the enclosure is connecting for the owner. Like Nanci said before, she gets to see her snakes this way, maybe check out the enclosure to spot clean and change water, etc.
I like taking Sydney out, because I do actually enjoy watching her eat (f/t) - she's hilarious about it. But she's also very good about it, and eats INSTANTLY. Beau my ball python on the other hand, would not do well with this. He is picky, and gets nervous or excited outside of the enclosure, and food is not on his find. He also prefers to hold on the to f/t rat for awhile, then drag it to a hide. Sydney will freely eat out in the open in front of anyone

It's an interesting debate though! I guess (in my opinion) it all comes down to the individual and their snakes.

 

[NH93]

*on his mind.

(I should have mentioned that I found out these things about my snakes through trial and error. For example, I know Sydney will eat out in the open not because I force her to, but because she doesn't utilize a hide when I put it in her feeding bin with her).

 

[maxfox426]

I voted some of both. I primarily feed in enclosures. I do have a few exceptions, when I have a problem feeder and need to feed in a paperbag, small deli, etc.
Aside from a few special cases, I always feed in their enclosures.

^^ This is pretty much me. I feed in their home enclosures as a general rule, but I wouldn't say I'm strict about it. I have no issue with taking adaptive measures for problem feeders, or snakes that just don't grab off the tongs well.

I used to use separate feeding bins for everybody. On paper, I do really like the idea. However, there was just a point reached when I felt I was spending more time fussing with empty feeding bins than I was with the actual snakes, and I decided to make the change.

The kingsnakes get fed in their vivs, unless they launch themselves out, then they eat on the kitchen floor.

Also this. ^^ Although, in my case he winds up on the bedroom floor.

 

[Nanci]

I would imagine many ball pythons would not approve of this procedure.

 

[Merkavich]

Always is a separate enclosure..you don't want them to associate your hand reaching in their viv with dinner lol

 

[Nythain]

I had never really associated enclosure feeding with aggressiveness. I was just under the assumption it's trending towards the popular and preferred reason to avoid potential harm from substrate ingestion and impaction.

 

[smigon]

I had never really associated enclosure feeding with aggressiveness. I was just under the assumption it's trending towards the popular and preferred reason to avoid potential harm from substrate ingestion and impaction.

I agree. I take my snakes out before feeding, and while I am handling them for exercise I am preparing their meals, putting the F/T mice on plastic lids and put the lids in the viv. After they are done playing, they head for the mice. I have never been attacked or had aggressive behavior with either of my corns.

 

[Nanci]

I agree. I take my snakes out before feeding, and while I am handling them for exercise I am preparing their meals, putting the F/T mice on plastic lids and put the lids in the viv. After they are done playing, they head for the mice. I have never been attacked or had aggressive behavior with either of my corns.

I have several corns who are a bit bitey on feeding day, and they like to think every day is feeding day! And a feeding strike from an adult corn is not like a little defensive warning bite. Let's see- Cherry, Buzztail, Fred, Raven, Milky- those are the main offenders. Possibles are Lily, Iris, (I think Iris is the one who bit my foot, but it could have been her sister, Violet!) and Gartersnake.

Buzztail is funny. She will open her mouth and lunge, with her mouth open, at the slightest movement, like a kingsnake! Her previous owner was a little intimidated by her

 

[AliCat37]

I never really understand where the "they will associate opening the cage with food" comes from. You should be opening the cage far more to spot clean, change water, and play, than you would to feed. Food would only come maybe once out of every several times the cage opens. But that's just me. I feed everyone in their tubs and have never gotten bitten... By the corns. The kings, yes! Lol.

 

[Duae]

The one time I've been bitten by my big girl (so far) was when I decided to combine cleaning and feeding, so used a separate container. I picked her up, moved her, got her old tub out, slid the new one in, then went to offer her the mouse and she was so excited (and I was distracted) that she got my hand instead and chewed on me a good while.

I do want to add with the 'associate opening and feeding' that they're surprisingly smart! I use plastic cups for mouse thawing, run them through the dishwasher, reuse until they start getting old, then toss. That way I don't mix up snake cups and human cups. The ones right now are bright purple.

I had KLB out just chilling, slithering around my shoulders and nosing through my hair, when all of a sudden I felt him stiffen and then attempt to launch himself at my crafting table! I was surprised, kept holding onto him, starting scanning the table for anything that might have caught his attention. Meanwhile he's stretching and doing his very best to get to that table.

I had grabbed a purple cup out of the pack to hold pencils and paintbrushes! He was determined to get to that purple cup and get food. I moved away from the table and he settled down. They're surprisingly smart about little details!

 

[ratsncorns]

I have several corns who are a bit bitey on feeding day, and they like to think every day is feeding day! And a feeding strike from an adult corn is not like a little defensive warning bite. Let's see- Cherry, Buzztail, Fred, Raven, Milky- those are the main offenders. Possibles are Lily, Iris, (I think Iris is the one who bit my foot, but it could have been her sister, Violet!) and Gartersnake.

Buzztail is funny. She will open her mouth and lunge, with her mouth open, at the slightest movement, like a kingsnake! Her previous owner was a little intimidated by her

So this is proof it doesn't matter how you feed them. You feed all of yours in separate containers and they still associate you with food.

None of mine are food aggressive. They love to eat, but they all are puppy dog tame when I go in there to change water or handle them. Its funny how everyone's collections are different! Every one of my snakes (including hatchlings) strike and constrict during meal time.

 

[smigon]

I had grabbed a purple cup out of the pack to hold pencils and paintbrushes! He was determined to get to that purple cup and get food. I moved away from the table and he settled down. They're surprisingly smart about little details!

Interesting! I knew they were smart, but to recognize color like that is amazing.

 

[Chip]

Its funny how everyone's collections are different! Every one of my snakes (including hatchlings) strike and constrict during meal time.

All the individuals in my collection are different (I'm sure that's the case with most everybody). I have some I can pick up any time, some are food-seeking missiles, some are shy and will buzz me if I spot clean near them, and about 6 are just jerks. Probably half I can pick right up without a flee response. But I know who's who, so usually encounter no surprises.

 

[Nanci]

I don't have any jerks right now- the last one is now with Robbie. I just don't enjoy them. Really, I've only had two.

 

[Nanci]

So this is proof it doesn't matter how you feed them. You feed all of yours in separate containers and they still associate you with food.

Hmmm. Does it matter that the snake associates opening the bin with feeding, or the mere presence of the human, with feeding? I think actual feeding in the bin reinforces associating humans with food. There is always the possibility- that's what the kingsnakes love!