Can i feed my snake in its cage?? If not why??

Question

Its a red tailed boa

Answer 1

i would not. i have a royal... he eats inside a box.

Answer 2

i used to feed my ball python in a separate box until i got bit.

now i feed him in his cage and i havent been bit since.

Answer 3

The time snakes are most likely to strike is when you are attempting to get them out of the habitat.  The moment the reptile realizes you aren't food, it will calm down for handling.

So, my suggestion/recommendation is pro removing the snake to another smaller enclosure for feeding.  This way, the snake doesn't associate the opening of its habitat with "dinner time!"

Another pro to moving the snake for feeding is cleanliness and control of baterial growth.  Prey items can shed blood and hair (even dead prey can leave fecal matter/urine behind) in the environment.  This is not in the snake's home, if you feed it in another smaller tank (another pro is this reduces the frequency at which the substrate must be changed in the snake's habitat).

The snake will not want to be disturbed after a feeding (I would recommend leaving it in the smaller tank until the next day, before returning it to its habitat - be sure it has heat and is comfortable in the temporary tank.  A lot of snakes drink deeply after a feed, so provide a small crock of water, too).  But, it's full, so handle it gently, and don't squeeze it firmly when you move it the next day.

I would recommend leaving the snake alone after a feed (other than to transfer it back to its habitat) for 3-4 days.  Most snakes prefer to rest/sleep after a feed.  Within 3-4 days after eating, they eliminate, and become active again.  You can handle them at this time, but keep in mind they haven't fully digested, so be gentle with the handling.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 4

Id recommend not feeding your snake in its home. I move mine to a box supervise him eating as he will only eat live prey. But like everyone else has said you should not feed them in their tank because of prey f***s and the risk of being bit. But also If you feed them somewhere else you dont have the worry of them accidentally ingesting some substrate and getting sick from it. I normally also wait at least 15 minutes after he starts moving again after eating to move him back to his home.

Answer 5

yes of course. i used t av 1 and its easier t feed in cage than out of it!!

Answer 6

yes you can!

the snake is not going to associate your hand with food unless you've rubbed your hands with rodents and not washed your hands before handling the snake

the snakes use their sense of smell to hunt not their sight

I have two boas they are always fed in their own tank they are not aggressive at all

(they are in seperate tanks btw)

also if you were to move them out of their cage you would have to leave them for a day or two because if handling the snake straight after it has eaten may lead to regurgatation

so just feed your snake in its own tank

just don't handle the snake 1 day before you feed him and preferably 48 hours after feeding

if still worried about yoursnake being aggressive just get a clean pair of tweezers or a snake hook or sumthing similar and gently stroke the back of the snake, away from the head if the snake reacts and quickly turns around just leave him for a while longer and then try again

but your snake should be fine

boas are usually docile snakes anyway

so you shouldn't have any problems

Answer 7

what kind of snake is it? how old?

Answer 8

i have a ball python and i never feed him in his cage. Ive been told that if you feed him in his cage he will associate your hand in his cage with food and he will start to bite. so its best to feed him in something else

Answer 9

Virtually all breeders and experienced hobbyists feed their snakes in their regular cages.

Feeding snakes in a separate enclosure requires that you disturb them, and can throw them off feed. In addition, it does absolutely NOTHING to minimize bites.

Many of the less experienced keepers here on yahoo answers think you should feed snakes in a separate box. I suspect this trend was started by somebody with little knowledge of snake behavior.

Answer 10

well people say no because everytime you open the lid they think it could be feeding time. feeding it outside the tank has less chance of you getting bit. i feed all of mine in the bath tub. so far, i have had no problem with this. i even put them in water in the bath tub.

Answer 11

Most people recommend not to because the snake will come to see you reaching into the tank as 'feeding time' and may become aggressive in its tank.  It's recommended to feed them somewhere outside of their regular tank because of that.

Answer 12

I recommend that you feed your snake in a different cage than where it  lives. That way it will not mistake your hand for food when it comes to  feeding time.