Feeding: In cage or out? Debate v. 1.0 - Page 2

LdyDrgn · #21 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:19 AM

Feeding in cage (I find) tends to get you bit less often. When we remove them from their enclosure they know it's NOT time to eat. During maintenance they are usually removed, but if removal isn't needed then a little tap with the hook tells them, again, it's not time to eat and they settle down.

Stargazer · #22 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:22 AM

I got bit more feeding them outside the enclosure. It was always when I went to put them back in. Veronica's feeding response can go on for a day or two. I cover the substrate with newspaper now and feed in the cage. Haven't been bit yet that way.

mpgt · #23 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 03:01 AM

I think the idea that feeding in the cage causes, or even "can cause" cage aggression, or a conditioned feeding response is a myth. The 6 snakes I have now, and the 2 pythons I had years ago, have always eaten in their cages. None of them has ever tried to bite me, in or out of the cage. I've never had a snake mistake me for a food item because it was used to being fed in the cage. If your hand smelled like a rodent for some reason, that would trigger a feeding response.

HARTSOCK · #24 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpgt

I think the idea that feeding in the cage causes, or even "can cause" cage aggression, or a conditioned feeding response is a myth. The 6 snakes I have now, and the 2 pythons I had years ago, have always eaten in their cages. None of them has ever tried to bite me, in or out of the cage. I've never had a snake mistake me for a food item because it was used to being fed in the cage. If your hand smelled like a rodent for some reason, that would trigger a feeding response.

Gotta agree with Joe, when I reached about 20 snakes, feeding out side the cage got to be a pain in the butt, and once I was in a hurry, I went with feeding in the cages once. That developed a pattern that I started, which pretty much meant I fed in the cages all the time, out of convience for me. I can say that the snakes that would strike, still struck and the snakes that wouldn't still won't. The ONLY difference I see, it that they become very inquisitive when the cage is opened and something warm starts to come down. Don't matter if it is the boas, corns, pythons (well, minus the blood, she'll strike just because it is fun for her.) or any of the snakes, non of mine appear to be more aggressive. At first I read the inquisitive responses that way, until I realized they were wanting to see if there was food or not. Once they determined that there wasn't food, they were fine. As long as I don't have the rodent scent on my hands, I am certain I won't get bit. Again, these are my snakes and my experiences, maybe some of you see something different, but for me, I no longer buy into what I consider to be the myth of aggressive behavior due to cage feeding.

mpgt · #25 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 03:52 AM

So what about the risk of a blockage from ingesting substrate? Most of my snakes are on reptile carpet, but I would be concerned if they were on a loose substrate. Is it a big risk?

HARTSOCK · #26 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 04:11 AM

I use aspen, but I put something in the cage that covers an area of the aspen. When they strike and coil, I hold on with the tongs and make sure they are positioned on the thing (cutting board, plastic lid, etc...) and they usually will eat there without moving. Actually, the baby boas got to the point where they knew if they wanted to eat, they had to be on there. Of the three, two would go on top of the lid as soon as it was put in there and look upward. It was funny... I also make sure the prey is dry, I defrost inside of a double plastic ziplock bag. With dry prey there is less chance of the substrate sticking to the prey. I have had even just tonight, remove a small piece of aspen from the corner of a boa's mouth...but that is a rare thing. I wonder how much of a risk it truly is though. Not to downplay the dangers of it. I believe that is clear and is a valid thing to worry about, but I mean, I know it isn't the same as being in the wild, but what about stuff they are going to accidently eat out in the great big world of ours? I am sure dirt, leaves, and other things may end up being a snake's mouth. I think it is a danger yet they are not as fragile as we think they are.

majkill · #27 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 11:17 AM

I always fed in the cage and not once have i been bitten or struck at for that matter. When shes doen feeding i just remove a few layers of newspaper tshe fed on to remove the possibility of 'residual rat smell' from lingering in the cage which might provoke a feeding response. Worked like a drem so far

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