where to feed my snake?

[Myca]

I read two different things. One is plain feeding box, the other is to leave in viv. Hatch in Jan 2013. First feeding coming up Tuesday.

 

[cagedbirdsinging]

I will be looking forward to this answer as well! My initial thought was to have a box for feeding as well as a safe place for the snake to be during vivarium cleaning, which could maybe be done at the same time.

 

[Myca]

Almost everything I read said move the snake to a box with no substrate. Then I read it wad better to leave newly acquired babies in their viv until their feeding routine was established.

 

[cagedbirdsinging]

I know that I will be using whatever method my breeder uses when I get my baby so that it isn't overwhelmed by changes and risk refusing food. Looking forward to what people have to say, though!

 

[Nythain]

You're going to get mixed responses on this one. There really is no right or wrong in this department, though it is technically slightly safer to use a feeding container. It's also sometimes easier to get difficult eaters to cooperate in a separate tub/container too. Personally I use separate container. But like I said, you'll get a lot of responses for both methods.

 

[cagedbirdsinging]

Would you say that it is best, especially for a new snake, to replicate however the breeder was feeding in order to make the transition to a new home the easiest?

 

[CaseyH]

I use two different methods. I feed Jasper in a separate critter carrier, that I put within his larger viv. I put a folded paper towel in the bottom. He goes in on his own, eats immediately, then curls up under the paper towel. When cleaning, I take the critter carrier out of his viv, put the lid on, then clean the viv. When done, I put the critter carrier back in the viv and take the lid off. He comes out when he wants to.

For Bella and Kiera, I put the peach fuzzy/pinky in a small brown lunch sack and lay it on it's side in their vivs. They go in to eat, then come out whenever they want. I clean their vivs in between meals.

Bella was a problem feeder when I first got her. It took a while to find a solution. I put her pinky in a brown paper bag, put her inside and folded and clipped the tp, then put the whole thing back in her viv. That worked reliably. After several feedings that way, I switched to letting her go in to eat on her own.

Please let us know if you have any difficulties. It can be very worrisome when they don't eat, but there are lots of things you can try if needed.

Casey

 

[Nythain]

Would you say that it is best, especially for a new snake, to replicate however the breeder was feeding in order to make the transition to a new home the easiest?

There might be a little bit of residual familiarity, but after the stress of the move and the new environment I doubt they're gonna care much if they're fed the same "way" or not. You should start feeding them in a manner that you are comfortable with and that you feel is safest and comfortable for the snake. Also, whatever way the snake will take it... sometimes you don't have any choice in the matter, like Casey pointed out. With little Plissken, there was no "should I feed in tank or out of tank" it was "how the hell am I gonna get this little bugger to eat this thing!" because he refused his first two feed attempts. Had to change it up until I found his comfort zone.

 

[bitsy]

You should start feeding them in a manner that you are comfortable with and that you feel is safest and comfortable for the snake. Also, whatever way the snake will take it... sometimes you don't have any choice in the matter, like Casey pointed out. With little Plissken, there was no "should I feed in tank or out of tank" it was "how the hell am I gonna get this little bugger to eat this thing!" because he refused his first two feed attempts. Had to change it up until I found his comfort zone.

I agree with this.

Personally I prefer feeding in a separate tank with no substrate. Not only does it completely remove the risk of accidentally swallowing something, but I can have a good ol' rummage round in the home viv and spot-clean for "stealth poop" really thoroughly. My lot do like to leave it in far corners and stuck to the backs of hides!

However plenty of folks here feed in the home tanks successfully. If you're a breeder with racks of Corns, you simply won't have time to take all of them out at each feeding. I've certainly had what I considered "problem" snakes (Milksnakes not Corns though) which absolutely would not eat anywhere but in their home tanks.

So it really is a case of finding the safest way to feed that the snake will tolerate and which works for you. In your case I'd maybe try the first feeding in a separate tank and if that doesn't work, try the home tank next.

 

[Viserion]

I have a tub that I use for my corn when I clean out the viv. Is it ok to also feed him in this tub, or will he start relating being in there to eating?

 

[Chromatic Corns]

I always feed mine in a separate container to prevent them from seeing my hand as food in their viv. I would attempt the first feeding how you hope to do future feedings. You might not have any issues.

 

[bitsy]

I have a tub that I use for my corn when I clean out the viv. Is it ok to also feed him in this tub, or will he start relating being in there to eating?

I don't think it matters if they do, really. If "tub=food" but there's no food, it's not like they'll be disappointed or traumatised. They'll just roam the feeding tank hunting, until you put them back in the home tanks. No harm done.

You could always just co-ordinate feeding and cleaning, which works for me.

 

[Viserion]

You could always just co-ordinate feeding and cleaning, which works for me.

I think I'll do that. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Myca]

Thanks. First feeding is coming up Tuesday. Hatch dates are 1/13 and 2/13. Should I feed a half pinkie mouse or a whole one? I think they are 13 or 14 inches long.

 

[Zombiegirl]

I feed mine in seperate feeding tubs. Each has their own and they don't even seem to notice. I am paranoid that they would injest the aspen bedding and have problems. Personal preference.

Now my rubber boa on the other hand, I tried feeding her a few times in a seperate tub and she refused every time. This last time I tried feeding her, I also made a substrate change a few days prior and at that time I added a plant and hid a ceramic dish in the plant. I thawed a pinkie and placed it in the dish and it was gone by morning.

 

[Nythain]

Thanks. First feeding is coming up Tuesday. Hatch dates are 1/13 and 2/13. Should I feed a half pinkie mouse or a whole one? I think they are 13 or 14 inches long.

It really depends. Go with what you are comfortable with. Compare the size/girth of the pinkies with the girth of the snakes body (ignore the big head and teeny tiny neck that most youngins usually). If they are about the same diameter then by all means, try a pink. But remember, if you don't feel confident or comfortable then a head or a half would do just fine. It's almost always better to err on the side of caution than have to deal with issues that might arise trying to push things.

 

[smigon]

I put dinner on a plastic lid and put it in the viv. Scarlett knows when she sees the lid coming what is in store now. The lid keeps substrate from attaching itself to dinner, and is an easy clean. This is what works best for us.

 

[Guruofchem]

I always feed mine in a separate container to prevent them from seeing my hand as food in their viv.

I agree, and feed mine similarly. My youngster spends time in my classroom, and is brought out to visit when reasonable, and since she is handled pretty frequently, I don't want the association of viv with food - it may make no difference at all, but she feeds great in the small tub. I get time to clean, refresh water, etc. while she eats, and I put the tub back into her viv once her meal is swallowed, and she crawls out at her leisure and returns to her warm hide with minimal interference from me.