Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read some other posts that say you shouldn't feed your snake in the cage? Why? And where should I feed it? Does this have to do with the snake becoming aggressive, as someone else implied in another post? Or is it health reasons...or both?

Also, my husbands gopher snake has thrown up the last couple times we fed it. It eats with no problem, and we feed it about once a week. The girl at the pet store said to feed it less because it was wild caught, and they don't eat as often. Is this true?

Thanks for the help!

Not sure about your gopher snake question - might post it on the pit forum.

An old theory is that if you feed in the cage that the snake will learn to associate your hand with food and you're more likely to get bit by the snake mistaking your hands for food. It's bunk. I mean, if you only go in the cage to feed - then I agree that may happen. However, we usually go into our snake cages daily (at least I do) to spot clean, change water, handle our snakes, etc. If that's the case then they're not going to associate you with food.

But if you feed on a loose substrate (kind of depending on what kind) it is usually best to feed outside the cage to avoid possible injestion of the substrate and impaction. Or you can lay down a piece of carpet of newspaper on top of the loose substrate for feeding.

Just my thoughts.
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Thanks for the help! We stressed out over which type of substrate to use and finally settled on the desert blend. It's like really coarse sand. It seems to be working fine. I've read a lot about toxins in some wood substrates (mainly pine I think)...so we were paranoid to get any type of wood shavings, etc.

You're welcome. You definitely want to feed out of the cage with that substrate. Cedar is the big wood to watch out for - and some say pine and fir as well. I personally stay away from them all (all softwoods) to be safe. But shredded aspen is a good substrate to use as well. I love Bed-a-Beast for my kings and corn. Looks natural, easy to spot clean and you can feed on it.

I'd love to see a pic of your snake if you have any.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Thanks again
I will start feeding outside the cage OR get a piece of carpet. I wish I had a digital camera. Hubby and I are talking about getting one soon. My snake is beautiful!! I love her red tongue.
My husband has a w/c gopher snake that just shed and is really pretty. It's stomach reminds me of chocolate chip ice cream. It has the best personality of all three of our snakes!! It's so mellow.
My son has a pueblan milk snake...it's pretty, but skittish also. The pueblan and SK are both babies.

I'm going to check out your pics!

Cool pictures! Congrats on graduating

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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"