Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I do this for all my snakes anyway, just so they dont relate my hand with food going into there cages, but how come its such a biggy with berms? Most my snakes are very aggresive for at least a half hour after eating and try to give me a few good whacks. How long do you generally keep them out of the cage after feeding? Also where do u put them for a feed session

I put my burm in the bathtub. If he squeezes blood out or makes any kind of mess, I can wash it away and him at the same time. After, once I start handling him he mellows out. If I try to reach in and grab him, he'll come after me but I use a hook to make contact or block his head from a srtike, then once I get him out, he's OK.

I feed my guy in the shower. He is close to being too big for that so I will soon start him just in the bathroom on the floor.

I leave him in there to settle down and coil up, then I return him to his cage. Usually about 20 minutes after swolowing.
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python

If I were you, I would be feeding inside the cage. I personally just place the dead rabbits at the opposite end of the cage and my big girl comes around and eats them in good time. I don't really believe that snakes will associate the opening of the cage with food unless you never open it for any other reason, and if you are not feeding enough. I use a snake hook to tap the snake a little before I handle, and there has never been the slightest confusion between myself with a hook and a dead rabbit. Besides, you have probably noticed that snakes get a little grumpy after they eat, you also don't want to handle after feeding because of the regurge factor. So tell me how are you supposed to move a 200 pound snake that has a very full belly and is feeling quite fiesty. I also think that if you bring the snake out to feed, then maybe it will associate being out with feeding, a big hungry snake is much easier to deal with in the cage as opposed to on the loose in the bathroom or whatever. IMO, feed pre-killed and in the cage always.

I completely agree with you. There is absolutley no sound reason why one should feed large constrictors outside of their cage. It is extremely dangerous. It is like playing russian roulette. Sure nothing might not happen for years but eventually an accident will happen, and when that accident involves a 14 foot, 150 pound python then grave results will probably be the outcome. I have had snakes for 16 years and I have fed both in and out of the cage. As I have grown in my knowledge and abilities I have no doubt that feeding within the cage is the sounder and safer way to feed. You apply so much stress on an animal when handling immediately after a feed. That is why every care sheet and good book ever written states not to handle the snakes for atleast a day after feeding. And also most snakes stay in a feeding mode long after they have consumed their meal. They are looking for more food and when you present yourself(or your hand) they can very easily misconstrue you with their next meal. Never have I experienced a snake misconstruing a door opneing with food. As long as you interact regularly with your snake that this conditioning will not occur. It is only when the cage is only opened to feed the snake does this conditioning happen. I really would like to hear a sound reason why it is better to feed outside the enclosure. So far I have not heard any. Honastly everyone that feeds outside their enclosure should really think about why they do it and whether or not feeding inside the cage would be better. For the snake as well as the keeper. Todd

I understand why you guys have this opinion and it does make sense, its always been a pain to get my constrictors and pythons back into the cage after feeding unless i wait about 30 minutes. Otherwise a good whack is in line. I just wanted to ask to see the opinions of expierenced berm keepers rather than a handful of people at a reptile show. Generally when im taking my new guy out, rather then jumping in and just grabbing him I take a glove tap his head and let it rest while i grab his mid body then all is fine once he is out. Any problems with this?

No there is absolutely no problem with that handling technique. but I ask again why do you think it is necassary to feed your burms outside of its enclosure. Liek I said previously it is like playing rusian roulette. eventually something bad is going to happen. Not trying to put you or anyone else down I just think it is silly to put yourself in a dangerous situation as well as put your snake through unnecassary stress when there is a perfectly safe and secure alternative readily available. Todd

I agree with all of you in one way or another. Personally I would perfer feeding in the cage due to its ease. But then again my Burmese has such a strong feeding instinct that I treat her almost as if she is poisoness, at least in the cage. But due to her size its impossible to get in and out easily, Like others have said. But the novice keeper with a young Burm. may find it easier to deal with it out of the cage due to smaller size. Easy to clean the cage and its components when the snake is in a piece of tupperware then when its in the cage. Also it is easier to feed snakes singly if the owner houses more then one snake together. Granted it should be avoided but we all must admit it sometimes happens. Also for some removing the young snake prior to a meal and handling it before it eats allows adjustment time. I also don't think they should sell burmese snakes to novice handlers but thats personal.

I agree with smaller snakes, feeding outside the cage is a little better for me because while each one is out feeding, I can get in and do a real thorough cleaning of it's cage. I actually liked feeding my largest burms outside the cage as well for the same reason, but everything everyone else has said so far is true, coaxing a 14 fter that's still in feeding mode off my balcony and back into the house and into it's cage was kind of like a circus act. Not THAT bad, as I just usually point her head where I want her to go, and she goes, but yeah, deffinatley risky. Now I feed them in their cages, and just give them free time to roam my snake room while I clean a few days later.

I keep a separate setup just for feeding. If you only have one big snake, its not really worth it, but if you have a few, its kinda nice to have a spare cage to put them into. This gives you a great opportunity to give the enclosure a good cleaning, and it keeps you from feeding them in the enclosure, and you dont have to handle them right away. Just be careful when you do go to get them out, cause mine always associate that lid lifting to having food comin in.