Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I earlier asked people whether I should feed my BP in my cage or outside. The reason being is because the person at the petstore told me that if I feed my BP inside his enclosure, he'll be more likely to think that my hand is dinner.

I got two replies, both of which told me to feed it in a separate container and another which told me it was fine to do it in its cage. I was wondering what the consences on this is. Thanks.

The whole "feed in a separate container so they don't associate your hand with food" is bunk. It's just something people keep regurgitating because that's what they heard. Think about it, you will go into your snakes cage for many other things a lot more often(handling, cleaning, changing water, etc) - why would it only associate your hands with feeding if you only do that say 1 time a week? Some snakes won't eat out of their container - I personally don't like disturbing them with moving them back and forth while eating/digesting. However, some snakes won't eat in their tank - so you might have to move them.

Bottom line (in my opinion) is if you feed on a loose substrate you should feed out of the tank - or place a piece of carpet on top of the substrate while feeding to avoid injestion of the substrate. I also think if you can't get your snake to eat in the tank then perhaps you might try feeding outside the tank and see if that works for you.
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the only way the snake would begin an associate with your hand and food is.
A. Hand is hotter than prey yet smells of mice/rats.
B. you never get into the cage except to feed.

They are instinctual creature as well as creatures of habit however they are not as easily conditioned as most domestic animals.
I agrre with post below ..I feed my females out of cage because they will and they have cypress mulch for sub. however my male eats in his cage on newspaper. I have ven place newprint on top of the mulch if I dont feel like feeding seperate.
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