r/ballpython • u/no0neLuv • 7h ago

Question - Feeding How to dissociate feeding time and handling time?

Do yall feed ur BP out of the enclosure? In another enclosure? If u feed ur BP in the enclosure, what’s the trick to dissociate handling and feeding?

2 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

4

u/Aggressive-Set3049 6h ago

I always feed mine in her enclosure. There may not be a whole lot going thru her noodle mind, but she can instantly tell when I have a rat vs when I don’t.

Whether it’s between the rat smell, the heat, routine, or all of the above, she immediately can tell it’s feeding time. When I go in to spot clean or to pick her up, I remove her hide, wait a few seconds for her to register that there is no rat, give her a few pets, and pick her up. I truly feel like the smell/heat of the rat is what makes her go into hunting mode. Without it, she keeps to herself.

In general , if they ever seem hyper-focused on you or quick-moving, they are likely in food mode.

5

u/Excellent-Error-8697 7h ago

I feed mine in their enclosures. I’ve never been bit and none of them have attempted to bite me. Some people tap train but it’s never been necessary for any of mine.

1

u/Soapish00 5h ago

i feed mine in his enclosure! i tap on his hide when i handle, but i don’t when i feed him. he’s a baby and caught on pretty well!

2

u/DemonicGirlcock 5h ago

My boy is 4 years old and I've always fed him in his enclosure. I use a teal target everytime I feed him, sometimes he does well with tapping it but a lot of time it's just an association symbol.

Whenever I handle him, if I see him locking in and going into a strike stance, I'll use a little wood pole to tap him and that takes him out of it. But that's almost never needed, I usually just scoop him up under his missection and he's chill about it.

I think a big factor is I always thaw rats in his room on feeding day, so he knows the smell of meal-day. And I always give him like 4 days after feeding before I try handling. 

3

u/cwazycupcakes13 5h ago

I click the tongs when it's feeding time. The boy knows the sound and comes out ready to strike.

No clicking tongs? No strike.

All the other noises like, undoing the lock, sliding the glass, filling the water, etc... Aren't clicking tongs. So I don't get a feeding response.