Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Our Florida King is our first snake. She's about to graduate from pinkies to fuzzies, and I was reading that earlier post about eating the substrate. We're using Aspen, and on one occasion she rolled off the little tray we were putting the mouse on and got a piece or two of the substrate stuck to the pinky. Doesn't seem to have cause any problems (I mean, they process bones and stuff, right?).

But if we wanted to feed in a different container just to be sure, I've read that if you handle them right after they eat, they might throw up. How do you move the snake from the feeding container to the living container without stressing them out?

Thanks in advance.

I too read all about the danger of feeding on Aspen and to take the snake out to feed in a seperate container...and also not to handle the snake after eating for at least 24 hours.

Here is what I did:

I bought a plastic container (tupperware) from the store, it is about 12" long x 5" wide x 5" deep. Whenever it is time to feed, place the thawed mouse in the container. Then remove what you have to from the tank (I remove the water dish) and place the container inside the tank! I've done this for a few months now and it works perfectly. Your snake will crawl down in the container, eat the mouse, and leave the container when finished. Then you can take it out and put whatever back in. I only have a 30g tank, if your tank is bigger, you may not need to remove anything in order to place the container inside. This container also doubles up for me as a holding tub when I need to clean my snake's cage (since they usually come with lids).

-Eric

That sounds perfect (not to mention so simple I feel stupid for not having thought of it myself). Thanks very much!
Ed.

Pine bark was a real problem when ingested.
When I hear stories about problems with ingested substrate, it is gravel, sand, or pine bark.

Pine bark is no longer recommended substrate to even keep a snake on.

Does anyone have *any* references to known ingestion problems with aspen?
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus
1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Eddie,
I used to feed in a sperate container. I now have my Florida Kingsnake in a 55 gallon tank. Since he has lot's of room, I feed him in the tank. I do put a towel in there, and place the mouse on the towel. Once in a while he'll roll with it and end up off the towel. I make sure the mouse is dry, and so far so good. He has a shoe box as a hide and once in a while he takes it in there to eat it, which I prefer since there is no aspen in there.

I would imagine out in the wild they swallow leaves and twigs, but what you're doing is probably safer - better safe than sorry!
Ray.

I've always just picked the snake up out of the feed container and placed it back in it's cage with no problems. Whatever works for you.

I too like to feed in a separate container. Typically for hatchlings I place the pinky and snake in those small boxes the pet store sells mice in then just place it in the enclosure. When they are done I open it up and just let the snake exit on its own.

As they grow and are more used to being handled, removing them from a container after feeding usually won't cause them to regurgitate. The regurgitating comes from feeling threatened and knowing that they can move quicker with an empty belly.

Feeding them in a separate container helps speed up the process. I notice that some of my snakes will leave their prey item alone for a while in their regular container, yet if I place them together in a smaller dark container they will feed quickly. This makes it easier for me to feed my collection in a shorter amount of time, as I try not to leave any food item in over night.

It also allows me to check them all out before feeding and see if they have any problems. Also while they are in a separate container I can clean out their enclosure.

But if we wanted to feed in a different container just to be sure, I've read that if you handle them right after they eat, they might throw up. How do you move the snake from the feeding container to the living container without stressing them out?

I have a very large collection of florida kings and have been breeding and raising babies for years. I never had the problems associated with the snakes getting hurt from injesting the shavings. But I use pine and not aspen for my stuff. Like someone said it is better to err on the side of caution that not.

It is okay to move the snake from the feeding container to the cage as long as you don't spend time letting the snake crawl on you and handle it. I like to keep mine in it cage as they are more likely to grab the mouse and go into that constriction eating mode (kinda like a shark). What happens to a shy eater is they might not take the mouse if moved from its security spot. .. So what I suggest is let the snake grab the mouse (or start eating it if the mouse is frozen thawed) and then place the snake in a shaving free container until it finishes. Then put the snake back in its cage. That way you don't have to worry about the snake eating the shavings.

On handling:
You should never "handle" a snake after it feeds. Wait about 3 days and then you can. But if you are timing things right 3-5 days is about the time you should offer another fuzzy. If the snake takes it that means it was hungry. If the snake does not take it within one hour remove the mouse and try again the next day.
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I don't need no spell chack.

"You should never "handle" a snake after it feeds. Wait about 3 days and then you can. But if you are timing things right 3-5 days is about the time you should offer another fuzzy. If the snake takes it that means it was hungry. If the snake does not take it within one hour remove the mouse and try again the next day."

I have a question about this. We like to handle her often, and want to make sure she's accustomed to it when she's young so she'll be easy to handle when she's big. But here it sounds like you really don't have a lot of quality interaction time if, by the time she's ready to handle after the last feeding, she's ready to feed again.

Timing handling between feedings is what I do. I like to handle my Ruthven Kingsnake at least once a week. I feed him and 3 or 4 days later I handle him for as long as I like. On the 5th day, I offer a meal again. 3 or 4 days later, handle.

I use a spreadsheet to track when he has been fed...good to have history. I'll also update the spreadsheet when he sheds and other significant events (good or bad).

I have a question about this. We like to handle her often, and want to make sure she's accustomed to it when she's young so she'll be easy to handle when she's big. But here it sounds like you really don't have a lot of quality interaction time if, by the time she's ready to handle after the last feeding, she's ready to feed again.

You don't have to worry about handling brooks/florida kings when small. They ALL CALM DOWN WHEN AS ADULTS OR SUBADULTS.
Its not like that for other species. Thats why the florida kings are so cool, bullet proof ect. You got a great snake!

My advice is leave him alone and let him grow over the next 3-6 months.

The bigger he gets = the tamer he gets.

The smaller he stays = the more spastic he will be.

Its just part of the way they are. Neonates are scared of being picked up by a bird or other animals that will eat them. They will hide and strike. Later when they get some size their confidence grows and they are about the mellowest king out there.

Its to bad many of the western kings and S. american milksnakes are not like that.
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I don't need no spell chack.

I feed my snake in a simple plastic container with a lid as it prevents him from ingesting substrate and it allows him to find the meal quickly. As far as handling post feeding, I believe that any handling that goes beyond transferring the snake from the feeding container to its regular enclosure is excessive and should be avoided, both to minimize stress and to avoid possible bites. The only time I've been bitten was when I tried to handle my snake within a few hours of feeding him - he tried to eat my finger.
I hope this helps.