I've been feeding him in his habitat but dont want him to get used to that, havent had him long. I feed him prekilled so he doesnt expect his food to dangle in the air.
I put him in a new container for feeding, feed him... then what? Should I just reach in and put him into his habitat? Just wanted to make sure because I thought I'm not supposed to handle him after feeding because he might regurgitate the food.. is their a certain way I should hold him after he has eaten and I'm transferring him to his habitat?
2007-08-25 07:54:58 · 14 answers · asked by johnson 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
You may want to wash your hands after feeding him so that there is no lingering smell of food on your hands....a snake can bite unexpectedly at anytime....contrary to popular belief...snakes don't recognize you...they may just calm down a bit in captivity.
2007-08-25 08:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by tooldaddy2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most snake tagging related mistakes that keepers make are made when they are feeding their snake. It is a good idea to condition your snake to know the difference between feeding times and play times while it is a hatchling, but it can also be done when the snake is older. You do this by touching it on the head (you can do this with a snake hook or gloved hand) before reaching to pick it up.
A: Ball Pythons are typically very docile, however when they feel threatened they will take defensive measures; these include hissing, curling up in a ball, and striking. The best way to avoid a bite is to move slowly and with confidence. If you are sure of what you are doing and are not hesitant, meaning reaching in and pulling back then reaching in again, then you will be fine. If you are hesitant the snake is unsure of what you are trying to do and will become frightened. You will want to get used to handling a hatchling first because if they do bite it is not very painful, however an adult will be a rather painful experience.
2007-08-25 15:11:24 · answer #2 · answered by froggy10282002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Snakes get into a sort of feeding frenzy when you feed them. In other words you will more than likely get bit from your snake at feeding time than any other time.
Yes, if you handle your snake too soon after feeding they can regurgitate. Also the food item may damage the insides of the snake.
I have a 13month old red-tailed boa and i feed her in her habitat. The only thing that changes is that i take everything out and cover the substrate with newspaper. When she's done feeding i leave her for about half an hour and then i gently pull the newspaper out and put back what i can without disturbing her.
My Mexican black king snake on the other hand is only 5 months old. I do put her into a separate container to feed and when she's done i let her slither out into her cage. So that process is done on her own.
Always wash your hands before and after handling you snake. It protects you and your snake from disease.
2007-08-28 07:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jenna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've handled a lot of snakes and the only time I've been bit was the time I forgot to wash my hands after handling the mouse that I had just fed that particular snake.
So always make sure that you wash your hands after you have given your snake it's meal and before you go to transfer the snake back to it's tank.
It's good that you've set up another location for feeding your snake. It helps to establish a routine and the snake knows that once it's put in it's feeding tank that it's dinner time.
However, once your snake has eaten just give him 5-10 minutes after you know the food is down and you see his jaw is back in place and then you can transport him back to his habitat.
Handle him gently as you always should and he'll be okay.
Once he's been fed and put back in his tank it is probably best to leave him alone for a few hours with no constant handling so that he can began digestion.
But make sure like I said that you always wash your hands after handling the snakes food.
And the more your handle your snake and the more accustomed your snake is to human contact the less chance you have of running into any problems.
It's good to establish a routine where you take him out for a certain amount of time each day and give the snake some attention.
And congratulations on choosing a Ball python - they make wonderful companions as they are very sweet and good natured creatures.
2007-08-25 15:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by Ann Ominous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him stay in the feeding container for about 15 minutes or so after he has finished swallowing completely. That allows the food to move down all the way and allows him to calm down. Some snakes will remain in a hyper alert hunting mode immediatley after eating and may strike if you reach in too soon. Handling after eating is not recommended but that refers to keeping the snake away from the heat and having it move repeatedly through your hands. You can certainly pick it up to transfer it. Make sure the rodent smell is washed off your hands. Scoop him up with both hands and try not to let him dangle or exert much pressure on him. Alternately you can just lower the feeding container into his enclosure and let him exit on his own if size permits.
2007-08-25 15:14:35 · answer #5 · answered by Thea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you pick up a snake that has just eaten
you just need to make sure you support as much of his body as possible and don't move quickly other than that there isn't much you can do it normally takes a lot of rough handling to upset the food once it is completely eaten. but why not feed him in his habitat I've been feed ing all my snakes in habitat for years.
Western diamondback-Mojave-sidewinder-python-kings and more
2007-08-25 15:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by Nick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its alright to feed them in their habitat, I've been doing it for 2 years now with mine, and they are fine. The only time they might bite, is before the feeeding when they're hungry, might think your fingers are dinner. If you want to transfer, then wait a few minutes after the mouse is in it's stomach and then just pick it up from underneath, nice and gently and it should be fine.
2007-08-25 15:06:54 · answer #7 · answered by Venomous 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people and I agree say that you shouldn't handle them for about 24 hours after you feed them because regurgitation can occur.
But sorry that I'm not entirely sure about the answer to the real question.
*Krstl*
2007-08-29 14:26:44 · answer #8 · answered by *Krstl* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK what you do is you feed in a separate container to prevent feeding in cage aggression (when he thinks every time you reach in hes being fed) and using tweezers drop his food in....let him feed...when he is done and seems relaxed slowly reach in and get him if he seems aggravated back off and try later...Ive never had my snakes strike....any more questions feel free to contact me
2007-08-25 15:37:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we own a ball python- and they did tell us to feed him in a different area- but we dont- he knows when his water bowl comes out-its food time- and no u shouldnt handle him right afterwards give him like 20 mins after feeding. but we do handle ours once the food goes down. we didnt do that when we first got him though- wait till he feels safe with you- They are great pets- Good luck
2007-08-25 15:33:23 · answer #10 · answered by ang 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋