Feeding in.... ?

[unbakedbrownie]

I used the search function and couldn't really find what I was looking for so here it goes.

I am trying to plan out, exactly, how I want to go about feeding my future bitty.

I have known for years never to feed them inside the place they live.

However, the pet store I used to work at (small, locally owned) seems to have an okay routine with their snake feedings. What happens is they take the snake and put him/her in a cardboard box, drop a live mouse in, put a bit of weight on the top, watch and wait.

How I would want to go about this is to wash hands, wear rubber gloves, take a cardboard box, put in a f/t pink using tongs or hemos, put in snake, close box, put a bit of weight or lid on top, watch and wait.

So how would you rate this idea? Modifications? Better ideas?

I am trying to feed while trying to sever any idea that "hand = yummy", trying to avoid getting bitten. Thanks!

:crazy02:

 

[kimbyra]

A card board box is risky - snakes are escape artists. Many people here use plastic bins/boxes with air holes drilled/or melted in. (Plastic is also clean, cleanable, and reusable.) I personally don't use rubber gloves, but the rest of what you listed is how I feed them. Sometimes I put them in the bin, and then put a f/t mouse in there with tongs, wiggling it (the pinkie dance) to get them excited, then drop it gently. You'll find what works for you. Cheers!

 

[Jrgh17]

If you go to a petstore with a decent supply, you'll see these things called "Critter Keepers." They're clear plastic cages with colored (ventilated) tops. That's what I use. One of the benefits of the Critter Keepers is that you can see if your snake has eaten without having to open it.

Here's a similar product:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Pro...v_256_N_27+122_sku_929719_familyID_12264.aspx

 

[unbakedbrownie]

I see what you mean!

As long as I don't make it look like the viv... S/He won't associate the opening of the viv the same way as opening the plastic container? As in... I open the viv and they think I'm gonna drop a pink in or that my hand is food. Thank you so much!

I think I will try to find one of the green or blue containers!

 

[Checkerbelly]

I'd use a tupperware or sterolite container with air holes. Something you know the snake can't get out of. That way you can just leave the room and come back if you need to without worrying about the snake.

The gloves and hemostats are a great saftey measure for not contracting salmonella or something. But I don't think you need them to keep your snake from associating your hand with food. The snake should learn to associate the container with food. After a few minutes in the container, anything that moves or smells like a mouse is fair game - at least that's how my snake is.
After he eats, you can't touch him or he will bite. But it's just because he's been in his feeding container. Any other time he's fine. Even if I used an Elmo puppet to feed him, he would still bite my hand if I presented it to him after he eats. That's just how they roll.

 

[kimbyra]

I actually use mostly those critter keepers from petco. They are good hatchling cages as well as feeding bins for when they outgrow them.

:cheers:

 

[tyflier]

I also use one of those Critter Cages from the local pet store. I get the snake and put her in the Critter Cage and close the lid. She stays in there while the food is thawing. Then I use a pair of hemostats to introduce the f/t fuzzy to the snake using the "pinky dance".

After she eats, I wait about an hour or so before taking her out of the feeding bin and putting her back in the vivarium. I don't use gloves at all, but I make sure to wash my hands thoroughly after handling a mouse to make sure there is no residual odor on my hands. I made the mistake of not washing my hands with a red tail boa ONCE, and got swiftly and strongly bitten for my effort. I won't make that mistake again...

The best parts of the Critter Cages is that they are clear so you can see if the snake has eaten, and the lids lock in place, so escaping is never an issue.

 

[tom e]

I was feeding inside Holden's home.. but he had a repti carpet thing for substrate then. I've changed since to aspen and I fed him once on top of his cardboard hide. Never again. He noses his prey around too much before he eats it. I had to open up and risk getting bitten (He's really snappy at movement but when he's smelling mouse!) and pick up off the floor a couple times that he knocked it off.
It's just not worth the anxiety. I felt like I was being held captive. Especially since he really takes his time with eating. Thirty minutes later I was set free to return to my life.
But now, since I built that double cage (thanks blueapplepaste) I have one to keep him in and a second (no substrate) to feed him in.

 

[unbakedbrownie]

Wow! Thank you much everyone! Sorry, Jrgh17, I didn't see your post before I hit reply!

I will go with the general consensus and get a critter keeper!

 

[Nanci]

Here's what I use:

On the left, top to bottom- Inez, 15 grams, (the deli cup she was shipped in) Zee, 30 grams, (he lived in that at the breeder's) Maizey, adult

On the right- Choco's bin- he's 30 grams, and Inez's future bin.

Nanci

 

[Nanci]

And my procedure is thaw mouse, dry off, snip four snips in the mouse's back, put in tub, wash hands, get snake, put snake in tub, close lid, remove snake when the lump is all the way in the stomach. I don't do any shaking the mouse around with tongs- no one cares.

Nanci

 

[jaxom1957]

So how would you rate this idea? Modifications? Better ideas?

I use Sterlite clear plastic shoeboxes. $1.23 at WalMart, and can be used for anything from hatchlings to three year olds.