Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all. i got my new ball python about 6 days ago and today I fed her two pre-killed frozen then thawed fuzzies. Amazingly she took right to them and ate them up! I was so happy!

But I have a question. I have a seperate feeder tank for her to eat in. I was told that after she eats, I shouldn't touch her for at least one day. I just want to transfer her back to her regular tank. Should I only wait one day or longer? PLEASE let me know. I was told she would throw up her food if she's handles too soon after eating.

Thanks a lot! I'll post a pic. of her as soon as I can!

Catnipcutie

You can go ahead and transfer your snake back into its normal tank as soon as it has completly swallowed its food,then dont mess with it for a day or so. Hope this helps.

Well I never mess with my snake after feeding them, I had several snake regurgitat from handling. If its in a safe tank with heat I say just leave it for a few days until it digests its meal.

I agree with that 100% if your feeding tank is setup with heat then leave him there,mine isnt set up with heat so after feeding its back into his regular tank.

Never a gurge and then I don't have to remember to move it the next day or whenever. Most of mine are fed in their cage, so they don't have to be moved in the first place.

Also, I have never heard a good reason for having a separate feeding tank/cage. The only reason I feed in another location is when I feed and clean on the same day. Then I may move the snake to a different cage and feed it while I am cleaning. After it eats I move it back. I probably wouldn't carry the snake around for an extended length of time, but that would be more due to heat concerns than just the fact that the snake just ate.

I don't know if this makes much sense, but you can take it for what it is worth. LOL

I have for 25+ years (and 3 snakes) fed in separate containers and have yet to have one loose a their meal while moving them back into their cage. As soon as they're done and trying to get out of the feeding box they're ok to move. Move them back to their home and leave them for a day to properly digest . Out of all the snake owners I know (and I know alot), I've never heard of one loosing their meal (the snakes that is, I've seen plenty of the owners toss their cookies).
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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

I agree with Tosha. I feed in seperate enclosures too. I've yet to have a snake loose their meal. I just feed the snake, and as soon as its swallowed they tend to yawn to realign their jaw. As soon as you see this, its safe to transfer it to its original enlosure. Just don't handle your snake a while when doing this.

My only good reason for feeding outside its enclosure is mulch - I don't want it swallowed. That's just my preference. Simply as that. Also, I used to have two balls within the same enlosure...you NEVER want to feed them together.

Thanks a lot everyone. I jsut moved her back to her home. She realyl didn't seem to mind either. So I think from now on what I'll do is feed her and leave her in the feeder tank overnight and then in the morning transfer her back.

Thanks!

Catnipcutie

It is actually much better to move the snake right after it finishes the meal than to wait over night. Once you've moved it back to its enclosure (right after it finishes its meal) leave it alone for 2 to 3 days (depending on how large of a meal it had) before you handle it again. I always wait about 3 days after eating before I handle them again. This will give them the time they need to digest without being interrupted or stressed (from handling).

Stress from handling or too large of a meal is usually what makes the snake regurge it's undigested meal. Oh, and temperature is also a very important factor... too much heat or not enough heat.

My $0.02

Eric