after feeding

jimmyg · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 04:43 AM

i'll be feeding my boas for the first time tommorow

i know not to feed them in there cage

after they eat how long should i wait to pick them up and put them back in there cage?
and should i expect them to be aggressive after feeding?

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Reticu-Lady · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 06:06 AM

After feeding my guys, I wait no less than 20 minutes from the time they have completely swallowed before picking them back up. I have a few snakes (2 baby bci and 2 baby burms) that I leave overnight with their dinner.
As far as aggressiveness after feeding, I have never had a problem with it, not even from my retic (well, once, but I think it was more the smell of my hand lotion, not an after feeding aggression.)
Give your snakes time to get their food down and then settle down a bit, then it should be safe.
Best wishes for your first feeding!
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wino · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 06:30 AM

I'd say it depends on the snake --

My BP will let me handle him right after eating, although for his sake I do give him 20-30 minutes before I gently put him back in his home.

My BCI is VERY aggressive after feeding and I have waited several hours before going near her after a meal.

My corn snake, while not really agressive, seem very skittish after a meal, and I put him back as soon as I can.

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Karen · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 06:38 AM

Like everyone else says it sorta depends on your snakes temperament. Is there a reason why your not feeding in the cage? Makes it soooooo much easier especially after they get large. I know all 5 of my red tails have nasty feeding responses. Example : Just a few days ago I had one that actually flew out of his cage and lunged at me because it was time to eat.
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wino · #5 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 06:56 AM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Is there a reason why your not feeding in the cage? </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> I know all 5 of my red tails have nasty feeding responses. Example : Just a few days ago I had one that actually flew out of his cage and lunged at me because it was time to eat.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Karen, I think you may have just answered your own question.

One of, if not the main, reasons for feeding outside of their normal enclosure is to avoid them associating their cage with food. For example, if SOME of the times that you open the cage you have food in your hand, the snake may assume that the next time your hand comes into his cage, there will be food in it again, and take a strike at you
The bright side (?) is then you get to join the "bleeders club"!!!

Another reason for feeding in a tub is that if you have substrate like bark or aspen there is a chance that some might get ingested during feeding.

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jimmyg · #6 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 07:16 AM

most everyone has told me never to feed them in there cage

what size tub should i use for approx. 3 ft. boas
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jimmyg · #7 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 03:47 AM

any suggestions on what kind and what size containers to feed my 3 ft boas in?

tonight i used a 12in. x 6in. rubbermaid container

should i use something bigger?
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