I've got a question for people who feed their snakes in a separate container.

Most people tell me it is because they don't want the snake to associate their hand coming in the tank with food.

But I have a question. If you have to reach into the tank to pick up the snake to move him to another container to feed him/her, wouldn't he/she still associate being picked up with being fed?

I've always fed Dexter in his tank without a problem, but now that I have wood chips in the tank to help with humidity (Keeper's Choice brand), I'm nervous. I was going to do the separate feeding container, but then I started thinking and thinking and thinking.

An idea was suggested to me of just putting the rat on a plastic plate to feed to prevent him eating his substrate. Opinions?

No, because you dont feed him everytime you take him out.

I would not feed on the chips, when they coil up and start eating it may not always be on the plastic you put it on.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

i feed both my corn snakes frozen mice and I always feed them in their tank even at the same time (they live together) they both usually finish eating at the same time. ive never had a problem and I use wood chips as a substrate.

by that theory, since you also don't feed him every time your hand reaches in the tank, it wouldn't associate your hand with food.
there's times you reach in to clean, to give water, and to take him out.

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i'd be better off opening my own small zoo.

But when you move them to another environment, then feed them, they associate that environment with food, not your hand. So you could take them out or clean in the cage and they'd be just fine, but the act of putting them into their separate box is what triggers that "hey food's coming my way" response.

I'm debating a separate feeding container with my own chondro. Since they are really handleable snakes anyway, it probably won't make much of a difference. Especially as I'm feeding with gloves on and feeding tongs. But if I do, by some chance, get him to the point where he's fine with being handled regularly, I may want to establish an eating habit that he doesn't associate with me.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

I made a mistake today. Carried the thawed rat across the room which must have left a scent even though it was bagged. Then I got red tail boa out of his tank to put him in his separate tub - Bam! He got a scent and nabbed me on the arm.

You haven't had a problem "yet". What you just posted is very much like saying "I have been feeding my iguana mice and have never had a problem". While you may not have had any notable problems yet, it doesn't mean it won't cause a problem in the future. The fact that you are feeding ON wood chips is a serious risk each time you feed. That one time when a chip goes in could be the only time you have a problem, and could cause the death of your snake via an impaction. Will this happen for certain? No one knows. Is it a risk worth taking? Absolutely not.

Here is the long and short of it:

To reduce the CHANCE of getting bit as a result of feeding in the enclosure, don't feed in the enclosure. Every snake is different, and there is no telling if your snake will associate your hand with food, so just don't chance it and feed in a separate container.

The more important reason to feed outside of the enclosure though is to avoid the snake from eating any substrate as it consumes its prey. Who cares if you get bit. If you chose to feed in the tank, thats the risk you took. What you should be concerned about is the fact that you are increasing the likelihood that your snake is going to ingest, at one point or another, some of its substrate. THAT is the issue really. You are placing your snake in harms way by allowing them to feed on a loose substrate when all you need to do is place them in another tank or container and the risk is gone.

By using a feeding container, you remove the accidental association with hand = food and you remove the risk of impaction by accidental substrate ingestion.

I still don't understand why anyone would want to argue the "feed in the enclosure" or "feed out of the enclosure". Feeding outside the enclosure is safer for you and the snake. Where is the debate and why question it? It IS safer, so its a practice that all responsible owners should try to follow.

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This topics come up a few times while I agree with everyones statments. I feed all my snakes that live on a substrate in a feeding container. This is simply for the safer for the animal there's no if's, and's, or but's, about it.

Though all my cornsnakes are kept in a rack system on news paper and fed in thier boxes. While I do have one or two that don't really like being handled I've never been bit by one. This behavior isn't new they've just always been alittle flightly, while the others are as calm and collected as ever. While other species may be diffrent, I've seen no behavioral change since feeding them in thier boxes.

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I feed my corn snake in a separate container also. I don't think she associates my hand coming in her cage as a sign to bite because I will handle her and play with her for a good 1/2 hour before she gets put in the feeding tank. Once she is done eating I give her time to calm down (another 1/2 hour) before I pick her up and put her back in her cage.

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Tammy

Personally, i could care less about being bit, but I feed in a seperate enclosure for the exact reason stated by Rich. It's just overall safer and better for both you and the snake. I agree with Rich 100%, why this is a subject constantly being brought up I will never know. There is no good reason to feed inside their living quarters. To break it down.. I feed in a seperate 10 gallon that i've had for ages. I can't even tell you where I bought it or why. But any kind of container (rubber, glass, plastic, ect) can be used. I just used what I had on hand. The fact of the matter is, its easier, it's cheap, and it's the most effective way of keeping your snake safe and yourself safe. And don't forget to keep in mind that a lot of the people on here are long time owners of snakes that have delt with numberous problems with their past and present herps. People aren't here to tell you to do something because it's the way they do it. Majority of the time advice is given based from the herp owners previous expierence or their knowledge of someone elses expierence..

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I tried to get rich, but I just ended up with more pets.

1.0.0 Boxer Mix Canine (Admiral)
1.0.0 Ball Python (Bam Bam)
0.0.1 Cali King Snake (Beatlejuice)
0.1.0 Tabby Feline (Nina)
0.1.0 Feeder Mouse (Lucky)

Jer