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where to feed

You will find arguments for and against both methods. It comes down to you making the decision you are most comfortable with.
:)

D80
 
Most people say that you should take the snake out of its viv to feed it. You can put it on any flat surface that doesn't have bedding on it. Most people use a spare viv or a plastic rubbermaid type container. I usually use a kritter keeper that I have. You're not supposed to feed them in the viv for two main reasons. Number one is because if you take them out then they won't eat their bedding. Because if they eat their bedding it can get stuck in their stomach so that they can't poop and will get sick and die. Second reason is so that they don't think they are going to get fed every time you open up the viv lid. Its so that they don't know whether its you coming with food or just to handle them or whatever. The corn won't know the difference and will most likely not mistake your pinky for a real mouse pinkie. Hope that helps.
 
Almost all of mine get put in separate tubs for feeding. I only have one who gives me a hard time once in awhile and I will put the fuzzie in a deli cup inside his viv. I am trying to break him of the habit. Feeding them outside the viv gives me a chance to clean the vivs, change water, etc. And I don't have to worry about them ingesting any aspen along with their meal.
 
Bobo's Mama said:
Most people say that you should take the snake out of its viv to feed it. . . . You're not supposed to feed them in the viv for two main reasons. Number one is because if you take them out then they won't eat their bedding. Because if they eat their bedding it can get stuck in their stomach so that they can't poop and will get sick and die. Second reason is so that they don't think they are going to get fed every time you open up the viv lid. Its so that they don't know whether its you coming with food or just to handle them or whatever. The corn won't know the difference and will most likely not mistake your pinky for a real mouse pinkie. Hope that helps.
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I don't think most people say to feed outside the viv. I'd personally guess it's about 50/50.

I also personally have chosen to disagree with the reasons for not feeding in the viv.
1. Ingesting substrate . . . I've always fed in the viv, and use aspen for a substrate. Knock on wood, I have not had an impaction of any kind with any of my snakes. It is my opinion that a healthy snake, with a healthy digestive system should be able to digest a piece of foreign matter here or there. (An entire papertowel, as Shep linked to . . . that's a different story!) It would be impossible to quantify deaths in the wild from eating foreign material, but realistically, how much extra material is ingested by wild snakes and herps with each and every meal?!!

Of course now comes the argument that we need to take the best care of our animals and that they are in a completely different environment, and should be cared for accordingly. But are we also creating a situation where we are creating a digestive system that is inferior? Just look at the number of posts about regurges and the like . . .

2. I have never had a corn bite me during my process of opening the cage to check on them. I've had them 'jump' to the front of the cage to check out what's coming, but snakes have this extremely fine tuned sense of smell that very quickly identifies the area around them. Case in point, I have an awesome male normal that is extremely friendly and inquisitive . . . he's also my most aggressive feeder hands down. I can open his cage any given day and he cruises up to my hand in what could be perceived as a pretty aggressive manner . . . but has NEVER struck. Put in a mouse, and it's instant attack and coil . . . that's how well their senses work. So in my opinion the idea that they are trained or going to be aggressively looking for food when their cage is opened is hogwash.

Obviously I'm in the camp that feeds in the viv. I also have to feed 45+ snakes each week. If I had one or two snakes, I'd probably put them in a feeding container.

That said, I do keep my hatchlings and new arrivals on paper towels or newspaper until they have eaten several meals and I am confident about their eating habits.

D80
 
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