Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I'm a new snake enthusiast and was wondering if you guys have a separate feeding area for your snake? I read at anapsid.com that having a separate feeding area helps prevent your snake from biting you. The reasoning is that if you feed your snake in the cage, then the snake associates the opening of the cage with feeding time. I don't want to get bitten often (especially if I put my hand in to play with my snake). However by reading the articles on the this site (mostly the fact sheets which are very helpful) I don't see anyone else suggesting a separate feeding area. Also the pics that some of you posted clearly shows the snake eating in its cage.

Note:
I'm not sure if this topic is appropriate for this section so I posted it in the general and cage section.

Feeding outside of the enclosure to prevent bites is something that works. If the keeper is a lazy keeper. An animal will not associate door opening with feeding unless the person keeping that animals doesn't change water regularly, doesn't spot clean, doesn't do full cleanings.

Feedings are on average every 7-20 days depending on species, and size. Changing water is every 2 days, spot cleaning is another 1 times a week, full cleaning is anything from once a week to once a month depending on the substrate used. So if an animal is only being intruded upon for feeding, and a lack of husbandry other then that, then I suppose it could associate the door being opened with food.

Don't sweat in enclosure feeding, I've done it since I started keeping reptiles, and none of my animals act as if its feeding time, unless it happens to be feeding time.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

Totally agree with Randy.

A seperate feeding area is an old myth/wives tail. If the snake is going to bite its going to bite weather or not if it associates your hand with food or not.

Regardless if you are like Randy said doing proper housekeeping your hands will be in the cage more than food.

Another thing is, I am assuming this is a pet, I highly doubt you will resist the urge to hold your new friend.

I feed with tongs in the cage/rack, I only use a feeding tub/bin during breeding season when I don't have an open cage. I never get strikes from my current collection.

Best of Luck

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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.9 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

Although I can't discount the fact that snakes have some ability to learn and associate, it is likely regurgitated myth that feeding in a separate container stops aggressive feeding behavior when you open a cage door, at least for the commonly-kept colubrids and small boids.

If I was keeping a 15 ft reticulated python, I'd play it as safe as possible. But since we are speaking of smaller snakes that cannot do real damage to you, you do not have to practice conditioning.

There are good reasons to feed in a separate container if you want to - namely so the snake doesn't get a mouthful of substrate - but the association thing is not a good reason.

If you want to avoid being struck at when opening a cage door (most commonly-kept snakes aren't that aggressive, but sometimes and during certain times of the year, some snakes can get very bold) use a snake hook to gently nudge the snake's upper body away from you. That is usually enough to quench the snake's urge to strike.
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Mark

Agreed, in fact I forgot to mention I use a hook for all my snakes.

My reason is that its their cage and I just make it a habit to control the animal with the hook before I reach in. It lets them know I am doing something before I stick my hand in the cage.

I had a few bad experiances and don't like the glove deal so the hook in hand was my comprimise, works well for me but I am not everyone.
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.9 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

I happen to feed in tubs for a couple reasons, but not because of their agression.
I have a collection of under 15 Boas that Are kept on Aspen. One of my reasons is the substrate issue, but I do feed my Gravid Boas in their cage - I just place the rat on a rubbermaid lid.
My main reason that I feed in separate tubs (each snake has its own tub with lid) is so that I can really go thru each cage and clean, change water, and spray for humidity. I cover each feeding tub with a "snake towel" so my movement doesn't disturb them. I change their water and spray them at other times also, but I only spot clean their cage until feeding time when I can get down to the dirty work. Theirs no excessive handling after they feed - just from the tub to their cage. A snake hook is advised at this time - your hand in their tub after a meal is not advised.
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I'm just the snake room janitor